Neither "Chief" nor "Squaw"

Things NEVER to Say to American Indian CoworkersSocietal concerns over the proper way to address American Indians are not new. You may hesitate over calling someone an American Indian rather than a Native American, though our sources prefer American Indian (after their tribal identification). But what else might you say that would be offensive? Take a look at these 9 things you should NEVER say to an American Indian colleague.

"Hey, Chief"
"Squaw"
"How Indian are you?"
"Hold down the fort"
"Do you live in a teepee?"
"Pow-wow"
"Climbing the totem pole" or "Low man on the totem pole"
"Indian-giver"
"That's a nice costume"Comment:  I don't think many Indians would object to the use of "fort," "powwow," or "totem pole" in a casual conversation. Given the number of stereotypes they see and hear every day, I imagine they've learned to tolerate such words.

For more on the subject, see Native American Slang.