So far, while reading Chapter 1 of the textbook, I felt a bit indifferent about the use of the word "Indian" being used in reference to Native Americans. It was probably because growing up I got used to what I was taught throughout all these years in school, from elementary to college: that Indians were Native Americans. But then I learned about actual Indians, who are the people of India, and got confused. The discussion we had in class opened my mind to see the fault in the use of "Indian" in the textbook. "Indian" should refer to a person of India, not a Native Americans.
I also noticed that the Native Americans were actually very intelligent, as they knew how to hunt and grow crops effectively while trying to keep their tribes alive. They learned how to use the resources available to make useful items like weapons and homes. Later on, specifically the Mesoamerican farmers started developing agricultural systems, which proved to help a lot. The Incas built roads and bridges in addition to irrigation systems.
I was not surprised when I came across the human sacrifices the Aztecs would collect; it made me think of the movie Apocalypto, since the plot of the movie revolves around the same subject. The idea of human sacrifices does frighten me, though. I wonder how they had the guts to kill someone as a gift to their gods.
I also found it interesting how in some Native American tribes, the women's were considered higher in status than men.
