The term "Native
American" is often used to
refer to the social and racial groups of peoples
indigenous to the continent of North America.
The more specific term "Native Americans
in the United States" refers to groups
indigenous to the geographical area that now forms
the modern USA, that is - the continent of North
America including Alaska but excluding Canada and
Mexico, together with the islands of Hawaii.
Native American traditions are many and varied,
not least because they belong to so many different
groups - each with its own character, distinct history
(including of geographic location), traditions,
and in many cases language or languages - rich cultures
indeed !
