Which term best describes Native Americans before contact with Europeans?

The term "indigenous peoples" best describes Native Americans before contact with Europeans because it refers specifically to the original inhabitants of a land. Indigenous peoples have distinct cultures, languages, and social structures that developed over thousands of years in their respective regions. Before European contact, Native Americans were established in diverse communities across North America, with unique traditions closely tied to their environments.

While "nomads" might apply to certain groups who moved frequently in search of resources, not all Native American tribes lived in this way; many were settled agriculturalists or had complex societies with established territories. The terms "settlers" and "colonizers" denote individuals or groups who arrive in a new area to establish control, which does not apply to Native Americans, as they were the original inhabitants of the continent, already well-established in their lands and cultures prior to European arrival. Thus, "indigenous peoples" accurately encompasses the identity and heritage of Native Americans before European contact.