Who has lived in the Americas since before European colonists arrived?

Native Americans, also known as American Indians, have lived in the Americas for thousands of years before the arrival of European colonists in the late 15th century. They are the indigenous peoples of the continent, with diverse cultures, languages, and histories that vary significantly across different regions. The arrival of European settlers in the late 1400s marked a significant turning point in the history of the Americas, leading to substantial changes in the lives of Native American communities due to colonization, disease, and displacement. This long-standing historical presence makes Native Americans the correct answer to the question. Other groups, such as European settlers, African slaves, and Asian immigrants, arrived in the Americas after European exploration and colonization began.