The Indian Reservation just up the road is full of people who call themselves Indians or, more specifically, Shoshones, Bannocks, or Shobans. A Potawatomie once said to me, "Anyone born in the US is a native American -- call me an Indian or better, a Potawatomie." A Ute, who is full blood and grew up on the rez, said as he hugged me, "Call me brother -- I was in the Infantry too."

There are nuances that a generic "First Nations" or "Native Americans" or "Indians" do not, and cannot, cover.

It disturbs me to see whites acting as Indians at re-enactments, but they at least have the grace (99% of them) to treat the people the represent with respect and they CERTAINLY don't stage a "Sun Dance" or any other sacred ritual. Good Heavens! That would be like staging a Catholic Mass or a Jewish Bar or Bat Mitzvah!