Paper Indian

A derogatory expression used to question or delegitimize an Indigenous person’s identity, authenticity, or connection to their community. The term is often used by one Indigenous person to undermine another, functioning as a form of lateral violence that dismisses or invalidates another person’s lived experience, status, or cultural belonging.

Use of this term constitutes identity-based harassment by targeting a protected characteristic (Indigenous identity) and creating or contributing to a harmful, exclusionary environment.

"That person is clearly not a "real native" like us because they got taken off reserve by foster-care/60's scoop/weren't given a house/left for job/school opportunities, so, they're a paper indian".

A pathetic, discount insult used by someone who has run out of arguments, emotional maturity, and basic respect. It’s a fake “traditional word” invented by people who think gatekeeping Indigenous identity makes them look powerful, when it really just makes them look insecure and uninformed.

People who use this term are basically announcing:

“I attack my own people because therapy is scary.”

“I think bullying makes me relevant.”

The term itself is used to belittle an Indigenous person’s identity or connection to their community, which is actually harassment and reflects more on the person saying it than the person being targeted.

Paper Indian by IndigenousANDProud December 9, 2025