I have just come across the article which is referenced in the URL below. I am not in possession of any of the disciplines [historian, archivist, DNA researcher, philosopher, archaealogist, etc.] that would aid me in understanding the term 'Native American'.

Left to my own devices, I gather from this article that what are known as 'Native Americans' are descendants of Asians [I don't know which part of Asia], and Serbians [southern Europeans].

Since the history I encounter does not deal with the origins of 'Native Americans' except as it relates to the period before the arrival of the 'Europeans', I am left to wonder if the term 'Native American' is, indeed, definitive.

I don't have enough knowledge to properly express myself, but I am beginning to wonder if the term 'Native American' is much like the term 'African American'. Do either of these terms denote any particular ethnic genesis, or are they ascribed to a group of people based on other criteria?

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Spivey