American Indian history

American Indian history encompasses the past of Indigenous peoples of the Americas, from ancient origins through European contact, colonization, forced relocations, and into the present.

The field examines cultures, governance, warfare, and resistance that predate and parallel Euro-American narratives.

Once marginalized in mainstream education, it increasingly centers Indigenous perspectives: The course covers American Indian history from pre-Columbian societies through the reservation era.

The term reflects older usage; Native American history or Indigenous American history are now often preferred.