Editor's Note:

We, as editors, are writing this note in light of a discussion between our editors and Mr. Meloy on the topic of language in historical writing. At Oracle, we are committed to presenting history in an inclusive way. This includes using inclusive and growing terminology when referring to groups of people in writing. Mr. Meloy’s paper addresses social relations in the eighteenth to nineteenth century Ohio River Valley, referring to Indigenous peoples as “Indian.” While this is an academically correct term, “American Indian” and “Indian” are terms validated and perpetuated by the U.S. government and in many cases, misidentifies the complex identities of Indigenous peoples. It has become more socially acceptable to say Native, Indigenous, Native American, or even better, the specific tribe or nation to which an Indigenous person belongs. The editors of Oracle believe that the most inclusive and respectful terms of identities should be used when referring to all groups of individuals, and we encourage all academics to strive toward this standard. The editors recognize the importance of language, and how this figures into the history of specific groups and their reception in academia. Therefore, we should turn to these groups when listening to how they wish to be identified and use those terms accordingly. We include Mr. Meloy’s paper in our publication to further productive conversations on language in history and its essential meaning to the writing and study of history. We also believe in an individual’s academic capability of writing and respect the material of Mr. Meloy’s paper as a whole, but it is important for us as editors to continue discussions on inclusive language of identities in and beyond academia.