Indigenous vs. Native — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 10, 2023
Indigenous refers to the first inhabitants of a region, while Native generally pertains to anyone born in a specific place, both with varied sociocultural connotations.
Difference Between Indigenous and Native
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In discussions about people and their historical connection to regions, Indigenous and Native are terms that might be used interchangeably, yet they encompass distinctive nuances. Indigenous people are typically those who have historical roots in a place and have cultures that predate the arrival of colonizers. Contrastingly, Native is a term that can refer to anyone or anything originating from a particular place, not strictly adhering to historical or cultural specificity.
Though Indigenous denotes the original inhabitants, it also carries a depth related to cultural practices, languages, and traditions that have been preserved and passed down through generations. Conversely, Native, while still implying origin, doesn’t necessarily bind itself to the aspect of historical first inhabitancy or the preservation of ancient practices and might be more related to the concept of birthplace.
In the global context, Indigenous is often used to recognize the original inhabitants of a land who have been subjected to colonization, placing a strong emphasis on their unique cultures, languages, and connection to their ancestral lands. On the other hand, Native does not always allude to the implications of colonization or historical oppression and may merely denote origin from a specific geographic locale.
Further, in a legal and social framework, Indigenous peoples are recognized for their unique status, rights, and the injustices faced, aiming to redress and acknowledge their distinct cultures and connection to land. Native, however, may lack these specific socio-political connotations and might simply point to a place of origin without deeper layers of cultural or historical context.
In a biological or environmental context, both Indigenous and Native can be used to describe species. Indigenous species are those that originate and are naturally found in a particular environment, while Native species are those that have not been introduced by humans and naturally belong to a particular area, highlighting that the usage is somewhat contextual.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Pertaining to first inhabitants and their cultures
Relating to anyone or anything originating from a place
Sociocultural Connotation
Contains historical/cultural depth and pre-colonization status
May lack deeper historical or cultural implication
Global Context
Implies a history of colonization and ancestral connection
May not allude to colonization or historical oppression
Legal and Social Framework
Associated with unique rights and social recognition
May not be associated with specific rights or recognitions
Environmental Context
Refers to species naturally found in a specific environment
Refers to species that naturally belong to a particular area
Compare with Definitions
Indigenous
Indigenous may denote species naturally occurring in a region.
The indigenous flora and fauna are protected in the reserve.
Native
Native relates to being born or produced in a specific place.
He is a native New Yorker.
Indigenous
Indigenous implies a connection to cultures predating colonization.
Indigenous languages are crucial to preserving heritage.
Native
Native can pertain to the original flora and fauna of a region.
The native species are thriving in the protected areas.
Indigenous
Indigenous can relate to concepts originating from a specific locality.
The indigenous culinary methods are globally recognized.
Native
Being such by birth or origin
A native Scot.
Indigenous
Indigenous signifies entities inherent to a particular area or culture.
Indigenous agricultural practices are environmentally sustainable.
Native
Being a member of the original inhabitants of a particular place.
Indigenous
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native
The indigenous peoples of Siberia
Coriander is indigenous to southern Europe
Native
Of, belonging to, or characteristic of such inhabitants
Native dress.
The native diet of Polynesia.
Indigenous
Originating, growing, or produced in a certain place or region.
Native
Being one's own because of the place or circumstances of one's birth
Our native land.
Indigenous
Being a member of the original inhabitants of a particular place.
Native
Originating, growing, or produced in a certain place or region; indigenous
A plant native to Asia.
Indigenous
Of, belonging to, or characteristic of such inhabitants.
Native
Occurring in nature pure or uncombined with other substances
Native copper.
Indigenous
Born or originating in, native to a land or region, especially before an intrusion.
Native
Existing in or belonging to one by nature; innate
Her native intelligence.
Indigenous
In particular, of or relating to a people (or their language or culture) that inhabited a region prior to the arrival of people of other cultures which became dominant (e.g., through colonialism), and which maintains a distinct culture.
The Ainu are the indigenous ethnic group of Japan's Hokkaido Island.
Native
Natural, unaltered, or unadorned
Native beauty.
Indigenous
Innate, inborn.
Native
(Biochemistry) Of or relating to the naturally occurring conformation of a macromolecule, such as a protein.
Indigenous
Native; produced, growing, or living, naturally in a country or climate; not exotic; not imported.
Negroes were all transported from Africa and are not indigenous or proper natives of America.
In America, cotton, being indigenous, is cheap.
Native
(Archaic) Closely related, as by birth or race.
Indigenous
Native; inherent; innate.
Joy and hope are emotions indigenous to the human mind.
Native
One born in or connected with a place by birth
A native of Scotland now living in the United States.
Indigenous
Originating where it is found;
The autochthonal fauna of Australia includes the kangaroo
Autochthonous rocks and people and folktales
Endemic folkways
The Ainu are indigenous to the northernmost islands of Japan
Native
One of the original inhabitants or lifelong residents of a place.
Indigenous
Indigenous pertains to the original inhabitants of a region.
The Indigenous communities have rich, ancestral traditions.
Native
An animal or plant that originated in a particular place or region.
Native
Belonging to one by birth.
This is my native land.
English is not my native language.
I need a volunteer native New Yorker for my next joke…
Native
Characteristic of or relating to people inhabiting a region from prehistoric times.
What are now called ‘Native Americans’ used to be called Indians.
The native peoples of Australia are called aborigines.
Native
Alternative case form of Native.
Native
Born or grown in the region in which it lives or is found; not foreign or imported.
A native inhabitant
Native oysters or strawberries
Many native artists studied abroad.
Native
Which occurs of its own accord in a given locality, to be contrasted with a species introduced by humans.
The naturalized Norway maple often outcompetes the native North American sugar maple.
Native
Pertaining to the system or architecture in question.
This is a native back-end to gather the latest news feeds.
The native integer size is sixteen bits.
Cloud native, crypto native
Native
(mineralogy) Occurring naturally in its pure or uncombined form.
Native aluminium, native salt
Native
Arising by birth; having an origin; born.
Native
Original; constituting the original substance of anything.
Native dust
Native
Naturally related; cognate; connected (with).
Native
A person who is native to a place; a person who was born in a place.
Native
(in particular) A person of aboriginal descent, as distinguished from a person who was or whose ancestors were foreigners or settlers/colonizers. Native.
Native
A native speaker.
Native
Ostrea edulis, a kind of oyster.
Native
Arising by birth; having an origin; born.
Anaximander's opinion is, that the gods are native, rising and vanishing again in long periods of times.
Native
Of or pertaining to one's birth; natal; belonging to the place or the circumstances in which one is born; - opposed to foreign; as, native land, language, color, etc.
Native
Born in the region in which one lives; as, a native inhabitant, race; grown or originating in the region where used or sold; not foreign or imported; as, native oysters, or strawberries. In the latter sense, synonymous with domestic.
Native
Original; constituting the original substance of anything; as, native dust.
Native
Conferred by birth; derived from origin; born with one; inherent; inborn; not acquired; as, native genius, cheerfulness, wit, simplicity, rights, intelligence, etc. Having the same meaning as congenital, but typically used for positive qualities, whereas congenital may be used for negative qualities. See also congenital
Courage is native to you.
Native
Naturally related; cognate; connected (with).
The head is not more native to the heart, . . . Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
Native
Found in nature uncombined with other elements; as, native silver, copper, gold.
Native
One who, or that which, is born in a place or country referred to; a denizen by birth; an animal, a fruit, or vegetable, produced in a certain region; as, a native of France; the natives are restless.
Native
Any of the live stock found in a region, as distinguished from such as belong to pure and distinct imported breeds.
Native
A person who was born in a particular place; an indigenous person
Native
Being such by origin;
The native North American sugar maple
Many native artists studied abroad
Native
Belonging to one by birth;
My native land
One's native language
Native
Being or composed of people inhabiting a region from the beginning;
Native Americans
The aboriginal peoples of Australia
Native
As found in nature in the elemental form;
Native copper
Native
Normally existing at birth;
Mankind's connatural sense of the good
Native
Native may describe the original inhabitants, without cultural emphasis.
The native tribes traded with neighboring groups.
Native
Native may imply belonging or relating inherently to a particular place.
The plant is native to the desert region.
Native
Native can refer to things inherent or formed by specific conditions.
The sculpture represents native elegance and refinemen
Common Curiosities
Is Indigenous only used for people?
No, Indigenous can also describe plants, animals, or concepts inherent to a specific region.
Do Indigenous and Native mean the same?
While somewhat interchangeable, Indigenous often refers to first inhabitants with cultural depth, while Native may simply denote origin.
Does Native always imply first inhabitancy?
No, Native can refer to origin or birthplace without implying being the original inhabitants.
Is Indigenous used in legal or international documents?
Yes, Indigenous is widely used in legal and international contexts to acknowledge and protect specific rights.
Is Indigenous used globally?
Yes, Indigenous is used worldwide to acknowledge people with historical and cultural roots pre-dating colonization.
Does Indigenous imply legal recognition?
Indigenous often carries connotations related to unique legal status and rights, especially in a socio-political context.
Can Native be used to describe concepts or ideas?
Yes, Native can describe concepts, ideas, or entities originating from a particular place.
Does Indigenous always indicate oppression or colonization?
Commonly yes, Indigenous often alludes to histories of colonization and oppression.
Are there synonyms for Indigenous?
Yes, synonyms might include aboriginal, autochthonous, or original.
Is Native used in scientific contexts?
Yes, Native is used to describe species and phenomena inherent to a specific region.
Can Native refer to plants and animals?
Yes, Native can describe plants and animals that originate and exist naturally in a specific area.
Can Native imply cultural depth?
Not necessarily; Native may lack the cultural, historical, or social depth often associated with Indigenous.
Can Native be used in social or political discussions?
Yes, Native can be used but may lack the specific socio-political connotations of Indigenous.
Can Indigenous describe practices or methods?
Yes, Indigenous can describe practices, methods, or concepts that originate and evolve in a specific culture or region.
Does Native have a global or local implication?
Native can be used in both global and local contexts to denote origin or birthplace, without the historical or cultural depth of Indigenous.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
