In the United States, Native Americans are considered to be people whose pre-
Columbian ancestors were indigenous to the lands within the nation's modern
boundaries. These peoples were composed of numerous distinct tribes, bands, and
ethnic groups, and many of these groups survive intact today as sovereign
nations.
The terms Native Americans use to refer to themselves vary regionally and
generationally, with many older Native Americans self-identifying as "Indians" or
"American Indians", while younger Native Americans often identify as "Indigenous"
or "Aboriginal." Which terms should be used to refer to Native Americans has at
times been controversial. The term "Native American" has been adopted by major
newspapers and some academic groups, but has not traditionally included Native
Hawaiians or certain Alaskan Natives, such as Aleut, Yup'ik, or Inuit peoples.
Indigenous American peoples from Canada are known as First Nations.
A canoe is a lightweight narrow boat, typically pointed at both ends and open on
top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of
travel using a single-bladed paddle. In some European countries, like the United
Kingdom, the term canoe is often used for both canoes and kayaks, with canoes
called Canadian canoes then. This is seen in the International Canoe Federation
nomenclature.
Canoes are used for racing, whitewater canoeing, touring and camping, freestyle,
and general recreation. The intended use of the canoe dictates its hull shape and
length and construction material.
Historically, canoes were dugouts or made of bark on a wood frame, but
construction materials evolved to canvas on a wood frame, then to aluminum. Most
modern canoes are made of molded plastic or composites such as fiberglass. Until
the mid-1800s the canoe was an important means of transport for exploration and
trade, but then transitioned to recreational or sporting use. Canoeing has been
part of the Olympics since 1936. In places where the canoe played a key role in
history, such as the northern United States, Canada, and New Zealand, the canoe
remains an important theme in popular culture.
