Frequently asked questions

Q: Do I have to be Native American to join NASA?

A: No! NASA is open to everyone.

Q: What is the difference between "American Indian," "Native American," "First Nations," and "indigenous people"? Which one should I use?

A: "American Indians," "Native Americans," and "First Nations people" are synonyms. They all refer to the same people. "Indigenous people" is a broader term that refers to any culture that lived in a place first. So Native Americans are all indigenous people, but not all indigenous people are Native Americans. For example, native African cultures are also indigenous.