Who / What is "indigenous"?

In many discussions on Maori media, the word “indigenous” is often used to indicate the similarities of the cultures and the social situations of Maori and other indigenous people. In those discussions, we can often see Indigenous/ Colonizer (or Western) binary, which is relevant to Maori/ Pakeha binary in New Zealand context.

However, in those discussions, who is assumed to be the indigenous? What is indigenous?
“Indigenous” people are often attached some distinct attributions from “western” culture, such as spiritual, close to nature, community orientated, and so on. But, is it real? Can we see “indigenous” perspective as one, which is very different from “Western” perspective? Can we really essentialize indigenous cultures in this way?

Of course, there are many similarities in the social/ cultural suffering and struggling of indigenous people in the history of colonization and the present post-colonial movement to re-claim the sovereignty. As a result, it is often very reasonable to discuss the struggling of the peoples in the common context. There may be some similarities of their culture and world view. However, I believe that it is also important to consider those questions rather than following the conventional/ widespread binary, because following the framework without deep consideration may just insist the binary and damage the accuracy of discussions.

In my case, my own experience and ethnicity is one of the reasons why I got the question. While I am staying in New Zealand, I have asked a question many times to myself --Is Japanese Indigenous?

As Japanese, I feel sometimes I am seen as “Indigenous”. For example, one of my friends, who is a researcher of indigenous psychology, have told me that she was reading some articles on Japan to examine the indigenous world view in all over the world. At that time, I became confused and said “I am not sure if Japanese is indigenous or not”. In addition, many people have showed me their acknowledgement to Japanese culture, and often they mentioned about the similarity of their (Maori) culture and Japanese culture. “Our culture and your culture are very similar. Respectful, humble...” I agreed with most of them, because I think Japanese culture is very respectful and humble, and I sometimes feel my culture is similar with Maori culture. However, I still feel uncomfortable when I feel Japanese is placed in the “indigenous” half of the Western/ Indigenous binary. Yes, Japanese might be indigenous for some area, but I know Japanese (Japanese mainland people) is also a colonizer. Japanese colonized Ainu people in north part of Japan, and south part of Japan. Japan has also tried to colonize Korea and China in the past. (It might be similar that Maori is indigenous in Aotearoa and Wai pounamu, but not indigenous in Chatham/ Rekohu.)

I believe Japanese culture loves nature and have big aroha as (conceptualized) “Indigenous” culture. However I sometimes feel very difficult to follow the Indigenous/ Western binary. Moreover, I believe it is very important to consider the word “indigenous” rather than just following the binary, in order to consider what happening in the real world.