Native Americans

LeedsRhinos | 01:28 Sat 02nd Jul 2005 | History

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Why are native Americans referred to as Indians as in Cowboys and Indians when they didn't originate from India?

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jno

Because Columbus sailed west and, not knowing about America, thought he was in India. Here is a recent thread from People & Places.

Columbus thought he was in the West Indies so he called them Indians. Now, the politically correct term is Native American.

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