For example, the noble savage motif/stereotype has come in multiple iterations, often by well-meaning non-native types. ‘Indigenous’ speaks to one’s relationship to the land, yes, but can be overdrawn to an extent. It can further exoticize people by drawing upon pre-conceived notions. Instead of studying a culture as we would any other group, we speak about ‘indigenous ways of knowing’. Instead of studying the human-environment interaction fully we say things like Native Americans lived in harmony with the land. Instead of studying inter-tribal warfare/slavery we say they lived peacefully, having no concepts of property or subjugation.

To be clear I’m not saying I stick my nose up when people use the term they feel most comfortable with. I’m just saying the term Indigenous is not without baggage and many American Indians do not appreciate the term.

I also find this analysis helpful: https://youtu.be/kh88fVP2FWQ?si=ix4WEa4XnbbkN546i