noun
native; indigenous person
Refers to the original inhabitants of a region, often used in historical or anthropological contexts. Can carry a nuance of 'local people' as opposed to colonizers or outsiders.
この島の土民は昔から漁業で生計を立ててきた。
The natives of this island have long made their living through fishing.
Composed of 土 (earth, soil, local) and 民 (people). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji suggest 'people of the land'.