Vanishing Indian

The Vanishing Indian or Vanishing Indian Myth is a stereotype regarding the depiction of Indigenous people, generally in the Americas, although the concept is found elsewhere as well, that they either are extinct or are destined to go extinct.

Common forms
A common expression in everyday speech is a form of "you can't be Indian, Indians are extinct". Another form is in the discussion of disappearance as inevitable, beginning this narrative in the early days of colonization. It is a common theme in the arts and media as well, that dates back to early colonial times.

Relationship to 'paper genocide'
A paper genocide occurs when members of a group are removed from all records, thereby validating the belief that the group is extinct and causing harm to further generations.