Native Americans and National Identity in Early North America

Nation as a concept has been applied to a variety of peoples and societies across time and space, and Native Americans during the colonial era are no exception. This essay offers a brief exploration into the uses and meanings of nation and national identity for the indigenous peoples of North America. It suggests that alternate definitions of collective identity might prove more suitable, which should remind us of the need to both clarify our conceptual framework and take into account the tremendous diversity that existed in early America.