Final answer:
In the seventeenth century, Native Americans were commonly referred to by colonists as 'Indians' or derogatorily as 'savages,' the former due to Columbus's mistake and the latter reflecting the prejudices of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the seventeenth century, colonists referred to Native Americans using various terms. The most commonly used name, originating from Christopher Columbus's mistake, was Indians, as he believed he had arrived in the East Indies. However, Europeans and Euro-Americans also referred to the indigenous peoples with other names, one of which included 'savage'. The term savage is deeply problematic as it reveals a distorted, colonial lens through which Native Americans were seen and is a reflection of the stereotypes and biases that Europeans held about the native populations.
Another term, 'First Nations', is a preferred term in Canada but was not used during the seventeenth century. 'Indians' remained the primary nomenclature for several centuries, and while terms such as 'Native American' and 'First Peoples' came into use later, during the time in question, 'Indian' and 'savage' were the prevalent terms. It is worth noting that many indigenous people in the United States prefer to be referred to by their tribal name as it reflects their specific cultural identity.