Hi! I am a student of Holt High School, and I believe we should change “Wentzville Indians/Holt Indians” to “Native Americans” because of it’s disrespectful meaning. 

     Someone who comes from India, is Indian, not someone who is native to American lands. Taking away “native” from someone’s race, completely discredits them from their ancestors finding the land and inhabiting it, giving the credit to caucasian people, such as Christopher Columbus. 

     While talking to Native americans, i got a range of answers to the question “How do you feel about the term “indian” i got answers such as “I really don’t mind either (Indian or Native American)” to “its pretty stupid. native is okay because ancestors were here first. our land sh*t. Indian was already givien to middle eastern people, i find it rude to be honest.” (Both people have chosen to stay anonymous.) 

Here are a few responses: 

How do you feel about the term “Indian” over Native American? 

“I personally don’t care, I don’t get butt hurt easily” (Person has chosen to stay anonymous) 43% Native.

“i feel like it has a terrible past but unless it’s used in a derogatory way, i dont mind it too much. doesn’t change the fact i prefer native american over indian” Alexander Howard, Gixtan Tribe, 100% Native.

“We arent f*cking Indian. Like I understand they confused us with Indians at first. But clearly we arent.” Jaxson Bircher, around 40% Native.

As you can see i got responses of many feelings, from chill to full of emotion. But as you can see, the community i have spoken with believes that they would like to be respected and be called Native Americans, and as a white person, it isn’t our job to tell them that it isn’t racist or disrespectful, but we should simply respect their wishes.