It’s not about what I prefer. However calling those who came to this continent in the middle of a continuous wave of immigration “native” is technically wrong and deceptive (not saying that you meant it that way).
I call them Choctaws, Cherokees, etc., which is what they call themselves.
"Native American" is what I am. So is EVERY American Citizen born in this country. "Native" is another perfectly good word, such as "gender" and "liberal" and so many others, co-opted by the Marxist Left a given an new meaning.
Why the SOBs even consider Mexican, Arab and Islam to be "races" since to have an issue with a member of one of these groups is considered "racist."
The proper term, if anyone is ever interested in using it, would be "aboriginal American." But, I too prefer Erie, Apache, Cree etc. since that's more accurate. These groups and nations are as distinct from each other as are the English, French and Germans.