The Author's explanation regarding choice of words:

I have deliberately chosen to use this word over the more “politically correct” term “Native American” because in my personal experiences with local Indians I have found no negative connotations associated with it. They refer to themselves as “Indians” or “the People.” If I was talking to the traditional leader of the Skokomish people about Indians (I speak from experience), I would feel incorrect using the term “Native American.”

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