Nations and Peoples

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Indigenous Nations and Peoples of the World

The terms "Nations" and "Peoples" are both synonymous and different to the point where neither is predominant. NativeWeb originally chose the term Nations, and the category listing below of indigenous nations and peoples of the world is taken from NativeWeb's Resource Database. Most of the current categories of nations/peoples are located in the Americas, predominantly North American (US Native Americans and Canadian First Nations). Some Nations are officially recognized by host countries; others are not. Some Nations are comprised of separate clans or tribes; some are not. Some Nations exist across legal boundaries of two different countries, eg, the Tohono O'odham (formerly Papago) nation exists primarily in southern Arizona, but traditional trible boundaries extend across the US/Mexico border in Sonora, Mexico.

In a major sense, a "nation" involves legal and tribal council matters, while "peoples" relates more to cultural practices, languages, and forms of a spiritual/religious nature. NativeWiki does not, however, use "nation" in terms of a specific country, eg., "Spain" doesn't qualify, while "Basque" does. At times half of an entire continent might be a nation; however, the Unitied States in no way qualifies as a "nation" in NativeWiki, but (among hundreds) a "Nation" like the Navajo Nation is is a sovereign entity.

Another distinction with nations and peoples is that they may be called one thing by non-natives, quite another thing by members; thus, while many people refer to the Navajo, their own peoples refer to themselves as Dine'é. NativeWiki makes every effort to use indigenous names, but some nations, such as Navajo, are so well-known by the non-native word that cross-listings are necessary.

Some continents are so large that NativeWiki uses regional categories. Instead of an overall category called United States, the country is divided into basic geographical regions. This also applies to Canada, and as an entire continent, Africa, which is both so large and has so many different peoples that geographical divisions are essential.

Some nations/peoples still exist; others have disappeared or have been incorporated into another group. Still others may no longer exist, but their language remains; in a few cases, the language is being taught to descendants.

NOTE: this is a long list, as yet unfinished and because of additions, not suitable for a table at this time.

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