Indians without feathers

After living in Canada for three years, I came to know only yesterday that Canadians call Indians (from India) as East Indians (the locals here call native Americans as Indians, so the real Indians (?) became East Indians). Yesterday when I went to the city hall to file my change in address at revenue Canada, the man in the counter asked me if I am an "east Indian". I said NO, I am a south Indian. He looked so confused for a while and and continued with his work. Today in the coffee time, my colleagues had a big laughter after hearing this. I said "well it is stupid to call Indians as East Indians". They replied, it can be confusing if they start calling both the natives as well as people from India as Indians. I gave them a solutions "call us Indians without feathers". After a silent pause....there was big laughter again.
Well this definition "Indians without feathers" came from one of my Dutch friends, robbert. Once when I called Robbert at his home, his 5 year old niece was so excited to hear that I am an Indian. She asked him if I will be dressed in leaves and feathers...robert replied "no she is a nice Indian lady without feathers". :-)...thanks robert.

PS: We Indians change all the state names given by Brits to original Sanskrit or regional languages. Why cant we change India in to Bharath and Indians in to Bharathis.