List of traditional territories of the Indigenous peoples of North America facts for kids
A Traditional Territory comprises all of the lands which an Indigenous nation ever claimed. Not only the present-day Reservation. This article is about the name for the traditional territory (the land) itself, rather than the name of the nation/tribe/people. The distinction between nation and land is like the French people versus the land of France, the Māori people versus the land of Aotearoa, or the Saami people versus the land of Sápmi (Saamiland). For example, the traditional territory of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nation is called Waaziija, meaning "the Grand Pinery."
In English, the land of an indigenous nation was historically, and sometimes still is, referred to as a "country," such as "(the) Winnebago country." Some Latinate forms exist in English such as "Iroquoia", "Huronia", and "Apacheria."
List of traditional territories
| Autonym(s) for the traditional territory | Conventional or historic English monikers for the traditional territory, with various attested spellings | The nation affiliated with that territory | Further information | Wikipedia article? |
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| ? The Aa'ku (Acoma Pueblo) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Acoma country, the Acoma homeland | The Aa'ku (Acoma) Nation |  |
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| ? The A'aninin (Gros Ventre) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Gros Ventre country, the Gros Ventre country, the Gros Ventre homeland | The A'aninin (Gros Ventre) Nation | See also Niitsitpiis-stahkoii, the traditional territory of the wider Blackfoot Confederacy. | |
| ? The Andastoerrhonon (Susquehannock/Conestoga) traditional territory—autonym is Conestoga Homeland | the Susquehannock country, the Susquehannock homeland, the Andaste country, Andaste, the Conestoga country, the Minquas country, the Minquas' Land, the Minquas land | The Andastoerrhonon (Susquehannock/Conestoga) Nation | In the Huron and French languages of the Jesuit mission era: Gandastogue, Andastoé, Andastogué ("country of Andastes")., Conestoga people today and traditionally call themselves Conestoga. The "co" part of the word is a prefix that refers to "people". The "ne" part of the word carries a tone that causes this part of the word to mean "of". The "stog" part of the word means "long ridge pole" (this is the short form of the translation) and refers to geologic formations. The "a" part of the word depending on syllable length means "country" or "nation". Conestoga Language is a tonal language in which tone changes word meaning, vowel length changes word meaning, and tone and vowel length can work together to change word meaning. Also, the English spelling does not accurately reflect the pronunciation of the word, but the pronunciation of the word by non-Conestoga speakers in the Conestoga Homeland is fairly accurate. | N/A |
| Anishinaabewaki, Anishinaabe Ahiki, Anishinaabe-aki, Anishinaabeg Akiing | Anishinaabe Country, Anishinaabe country, the Anishinaabe Aki | The Anishinaabe People are a supra-national identity which encompasses the three nations of the Three Fires Confederacy: the Ojibwe Nation, the Odawa Nation, and the Potawatomi Nation, plus the culturally related Algonquin Nation, Mississauga Nation, and Nipissing Nation. | Because the name "Anishinaabe" also serves as a synonym for "Ojibwe" or "Odawa" (or the other specific nations) and also means "Indian", the various forms of "Anishinaabe Aki" can also mean "Ojibwe country", "Odawa country" (and so forth), and also "Indian Country" in general. French: l'Anishinabe Aki.
"The Nishnawbe Aski territory" refers to the land of the amalgamated national identity which was formed in 1983 by the OjiCree-, Ojibway-, Cree-, and Algonquin-speaking bands which were party to the two treaties which cover Northern Ontario. See also the entries for Ojibwewaki (Ojibwa country), Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi country), and Omàmiwininiwak (Algonquin) traditional territory. |
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| Apsáalooke Issawua, Absarog-Issawua ("Land of the Children of the Large Beaked Bird") | Crow country, the Crow country, the Land of the Crow Indians | The Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation | |
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| Atna Nenn' ("Land of the Ice People") | Ahtna Country, the Ahtna country | The Ahtna (Copper River) Nation | The traditional territory of the Upper Ahtna people is called Tatl'ahwt'aenn Nenn' ("Headwaters People's Country"). | |
| ? The Attawandaron (Neutral) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Neutral country, the country of the Neutrals, the Neutrals' territory | The Attawandaron (Neutral) Nation | The Kahkwa nation was either one of the Erie or Neutral nations, or the name in the Seneca language for the Neutral and Erie nations as a whole. In the Huron language, the Kahkwa traditional territory is called Atrakwae. In English, it has been referred to as "Kahkwa territory". | |
| Báxoje Máyan ("Land of the Gray Snow People") | Ioway country, the Iowa country | The Báxoje (Iowa/Ioway) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Pahkutawiru "among the Ioway, in Ioway country." | |
| Bodéwadmiakiwen, Bodewadmi kik ("Land of the Keepers of the Fire") | the Potawatomi country, Potawatomi land | The Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Raawaruhkisiru ("among the Potawatomi; in Potawatomi country"). See also Anishinaabewaki. | |
| Chahta Yakni ("Land of Chahta") | Choctaw country, the Choctaw country | The Chahta (Choctaw) Nation | In Choctaw legend, "Chahta" is the name of the first man to come out of the earth. | |
| Chicora | the land of Chicora | The Chicora Nation | Spanish: tierra de Chicora. | |
| Chikashsha Yakni, Chikasha yakni ("Land of Chicksa") | Chickasaw Country, the Chickasaw country | The Chikashsha (Chickasaw) Nation | In Chickasaw legend, "Chicksa" is the name of the second man to come out of the earth. | |
| Denaʼina Ełnena | Dena'ina territory; the Dena'ina homeland | Dena'ina people | |
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| Denendeh ("Land of the People") | the Dene country | The Dene name has two primary meanings:
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The name "Denendeh", though now confined to the NWT, could conceivably be employed as a supra-national name for all the Northern Athabaskan traditional territories as a whole, in a similar way that "Anishinaabewaki" transcends modern political boundaries.
See also Tłı̨chǫ Ndè (Dogrib country). |
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| Diné Bikéyah ("Land of the People"), Naabeehó Bikéyah, Dinétah ("Among the People") | Navajoland, the Navajo country | The Diné (Navajo) Nation | In contrast to Diné Bikéyah, the name Dinétah can refer specifically to the original homeland, in contrast to the wider territory which resulted from the Navajos' westerly expansion in historic times. The name Naabeehó Bináhásdzo refers to the Navajo reservation jurisdiction and its political government. | (link) |
| Dule Nega, Dulenega, Tulenega ("House of the People"), Guna Yala, Kuna Yala ("Land of the Kuna") | the Kuna homeland, the Kuna country, Kuna country, the Dule homeland | The Dule (Guna/Kuna) Nation | Besides being a name of entire traditional territory, Guna Yala is also specifically the name of the Panamanian political administrative comarca ("shire") where the Kuna are based. That political division was formerly known as Comarca Kuna Yala, the Province of San Blas, and the Comarca Tulenega. | |
| Dusgaowehonoga, Dus-gaˊ-o-weh-o-noˊ-ga | Tuscarora country, the Tuscarora country | The Ska-Ruh-Reh (Tuscarora) Nation | See also Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| Gawi Wachi ("The Place of Nurturing") | the Tarahumara country, Tarahumara country, the Rarámuri country, Rarámuri country, | The Rarámuri (Tarahumara) Nation | |
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| Gweugwehonoga, Gwe-uˊ-gweh-o-noˊ-ga ("Land of the People of the Great Swamp") | Cayuga Country, Cayuga country, the Cayuga country | The Guyohkohnyoh (Cayuga) Nation | See also Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| Haudenosauneega, Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga ("Land of the People who are Building a Long House"), Aquanishuonigy | Iroquoia, the Iroquois Country, the Country of the Confederate Indians, the Country of the Five Nations, the Country of the Six Nations. | The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. The confederated identity encompasses the Mohawk Nation, Oneida Nation, Cayuga Nation, Seneca Nation, and Onondaga Nation. Other nations, such as the Tuscarora Nation, were adopted by the Haudenosaunee in historic times. | French: Pays des Iroquois. Haudenosauneega or Aquanishuonigy is traditionally composed of five "countries": 1) "Aquanishuonigy proper" (the traditional territories of the Five Nations in New York), 2) Ohi-yo' (the Ohio Valley), 3) Tiiuchsochruntie (the Lower Peninsula of Michigan), 4) Couchsachrage (the Adirondack Mountains), and 5) Skaniadarade (Southern Ontario).
See also Kanién:ke (Mohawk country), Onayotekaonoga (Oneida country), Gweugwehonoga (Cayuga country), Nundawaonoga (Seneca country), Onundagaonoga (Onondaga country), and Dusgaowehonoga (Tuscarora country). |
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| Hiakim | the Yaqui country, the Yaqui homeland, Yaqui lands, Yaqui land, the Yaqui Homelands | The Yoeme (Yaqui) Nation | |
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| ? The Hinono'eino (Arapaho) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Arapaho country, the Arapaho country, the Arapaho homeland, Arapahoe country, the Arapahoe homeland | The Hinono'eino (Arapaho) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Sariˀitihkawiru ("among the Arapahos, in Arapaho country"). | |
| Hopitutskwa, Hopi Tutskwa ("Land of the Peaceful Ones") | Hopiland, Hopi Land, Hopi lands, the Hopi Tutskwa, the Hopi country, Hopi country | The Hopi Nation | |
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| Inokinki, Inokinghi ("Place of the Inoca") | the Illinois Country, the Illinois country, the country of the Inoca, the Inoca homeland | The Inoca (Illinois/Illini) Confederacy traditionally includes these five principal nations: Cahokia Nation, Kaskaskia Nation, Michigamea Nation, Peoria Nation, and Tamaroa Nation. There were several other, more obscure member nations in the early historic period. | French: Pays des Illinois (not to be confused with the French political territory of the Illinois Country which was named after the indigenous traditional territory). The original meaning of the autonym Inoca, Inoka is presently unknown. | |
| Inuit Nunaat ("Land of the People") | the Inuit homeland, the Inuit country, the Eskimo country | The Inuit (Eskimo) Nation
"We Eskimo are an international community sharing common language, culture, and a common land along the Arctic coast of Siberia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland. Although not a nation-state, as a people, we do constitute a nation." —Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska |
Inuit Nunaat is used by the international Inuit Circumpolar Council; for example in the April 2009 "Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Sovereignty in the Arctic." Two months later, in June 2009, the Canadian-sponsored Inuit organization changed the name of the specifically Canadian Inuit regions from Inuit Nunaat to Inuit Nunangat ("The People's Land, Water, and Ice"). The four Canadian Inuit regions are the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (Northwest Territories and Northern Yukon), Nunavut ("Our Land"), Nunavik ("Great Land", Northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut ("Our Beautiful Land", Northern Labrador). There is also NunatuKavut ("Our Ancient Land"), the traditional territory of the NunatuKavummuit of southern Labrador. There are seven Alaskan Native Corporations (see ANC link for map) which are predominantly Inuit in composition: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, NANA Regional Corporation, Bering Straits Native Corporation, Calista Corporation, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Koniag, Inc., and Chugach Alaska Corporation.
The existing Inuit-affiliated political divisions and regional corporations only partially reflect the traditional cultural and linguistic diversity of the Inuitic peoples. For example, the boundaries of the Danish political entity Kalaallit Nunaat are bigger than the traditional territory of the Kalaallit proper (West Greenland Inuit). There are two other Inuitic peoples in Greenland: the Tunumiit (East Greenland Inuit), who live in Tunu and the Inughuit (Polar Eskimos) of North Greenland. |
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| Jiwére Máyan, Wadodana Máyan ("Land of the Otoes") | Otoe country, the Otoe country, the country of the Otoe Indians | The Jíwere (Otoe) Nation | |
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| ? The Ka'igwu (Kiowa) Cáuidàumgà (Kiowa Country) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Kiowa country, the Kiowa country, the Kiowa homeland | The Ka'igwu (Kiowa) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Kaˀiwaru ("among the Kiowa; in Kiowa country"). | |
| Kanién:ke, Kanienkeh, Kanyę̂·ke ("Land of Flint"), Ganeagaonoga, Gä-neă-ga-o-noˊ-ga | Mohawk country, the Mohawk country, Mohawk territory, the Mohawk homeland, the Mohawk homelands, the Mohawk Territory | The Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) Nation | In the Huron and French languages of the Jesuit mission era: Annien̈ę, Agné, Agne, Agnée, Agnié, Agniée, Agniés, Agniez ("the French appellation of Mohawks and their country.") In the Maliseet language: Meqewihkuk ("where Mohawks live; in, to Mohawk territory"). See also Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| ? The Kanza (Kaw) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Kaw Country, Kaw country, the Kaw country, Kansa country, the Kansa country, the Kaw homeland | The Kanza (Kaw) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Arahuuru ("in Kansa country"). | |
| Karúk Veezívzaaneen ("Land of the Upriver People") | Karuk Country, Karuk country, Karuk territory | The Karuk Nation | |
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| Kootzagwae | Mono Lake Tribe; Mono Lake Paiute; Kucadikadi | The Kootzaduka’a (Kucadikadi) People | The name "Kootzaduka’a" is used by the band itself to refer to themselves as a people. They consider themselves a band of the Northern Paiute people. Therefore, the Kootzaduka'a homeland is Kootzagwae, which is part of the Northern Paiute homeland of Numu Tubewa. | |
| Ktunaxa ʔamakʔis | Ktunaxa territory | Ktunaxa people | |
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| Kulhulmcilh ("Our Land") | Nuxalk country, Bella Coola country, the Bella Coola country | The Nuxálk (Bella Coola) Nation | |
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| Lakhota Makhoche ("Land of the Allies") | Lakota Country, the Lakota Country, the Lakota country, the Lakota homeland, the Teton country, the Teton Sioux homeland | The Lakhota (Teton Sioux) Nation | The Lakota nation is one of seven nations of the Oceti Šakowiŋ, the Seven Fires Council of the Great Sioux Nation. | |
| Lënapehòkink, Lenapehoking, Lenape Hoking ("In the People's Land"), Scheyischbi ("The Place Bordering the Ocean") | Delaware Indian country, the Delaware Indian country, Lenape country, the Lenape country | The Lenape (Delaware) Nation | Lenapehoking is reportedly a modern coining which could conceivably be used for any land which has been affiliated with the Lenape, such as the Ohio treaty lands and tribal jurisdiction in Oklahoma, while Scheyischbi refers to the original homeland on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard. | (link) |
| Lingít Aaní, Lingit Aani ("Land of the People of the Tides") | Tlingit country, the Tlingit country, the Tlingit Country, Traditional Tlingit Country, the Tlingit homeland | The Lingít (Tlingit) Nation | |
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| Mánu: Yį Įsuwą ("Land of the River People") | Catawba Country, the Catawba country, the Catawba homeland | The Iswa (Catawba) Nation | |
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| Massa-adchu-es-et ("Region of the Great Hills", "The Great-Hill Country") | Massachussett country | The Massa-adchu-es-et (Massachusett) Nation | In the Abenaki language: Msajosek ("where there are many hills"). The English colony, later U.S. state, was named after the traditional territory and its people. The traditional territory of the Agawam band of Massachusett is named Wonnesquamsauke ("Pleasant Water Place"); the name was shortened in English to "Agawam", "Squam", and "Annisquam". | |
| Mayach ("The First Land, the Land Just Sprouted") | the Maya Homeland, the Mayan homeland | The Uinicob (Maya) Nation | |
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| Métis Homeland | The Homeland of the Métis is in the three Prairie Provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta), as well as parts of Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the Northern United States | The Métis Nation | |
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| Mēxihco ("Place of the Mexica") | the Mexica homeland, the land of the Mexica, the land of the Mexica Indians | The Mēxihcah (Aztec) Nation | The nation-state of Mexico is named after the traditional territory of the Mēxihcah people. | |
| Mi'kma'ki, Migmagi ("Land of the Allies") | Mi'kmaq country, the Mi'kmaq homeland, Micmac country, the Micmac country, the Micmac homeland | The Mi'kmaw (Micmac) Nation | In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language: Mihkomahkik. See also Wabanahkik (Wabanaki country). | |
| Môhikaniks, Monheganick ("Land of the Wolf People") | Mohegan country, the Mohegan country, the Mohegan Homeland, the Mohegan homeland | The Mohegan Nation | |
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| Myaamionki ("Place of the Downstream People") | the Myaamiaki homeland, Miami country, the Miami country, the Miami Country, Miami Indian country, the Miami Indian country, the Miami homeland, homeland of the Miami Confederacy | The Myaamiaki (Miami) Nation and Confederacy. The Miami Confederacy traditionally includes the Miami Nation proper (the "Great Miami"), the Eel River Nation, the Piankeshaw Nation, and the Wea Nation. | See also Waayaahtanonki (Wea country). | |
| Nanticoke Ahkee, Nantaquak Ahkee, Nentego Ahkee ("Land of the Tidewater People"), Nanticoke Pamtuckquah ("River of the Tidewater People") | Nanticoke country, the Nanticoke country, Nanticoke territory, the Nanticoke homeland | The Nentego (Nanticoke) Nation | Nanticoke Pamtuckquah could refer to the original homeland along the Nanticoke River, while Nanticoke Ahkee would refer to post-exodus lands as well. | |
| Na:tinixw ("Where the Trails Return" = Hupa Valley) | Hupa country, the Hupa country, the Hupa homeland, Hoopa country the Hoopa country | The Hupa Nation | |
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| Nayantaquit, Nayantakick, Nianticut, Nehantick, Naïantukq-ut, Naantucke, Naihantick Niantic, Nehântick, ("At a point of land on a tidal river, estuary", "Of long-necked waters") | Niantic country, the Niantic country, the Niantic territory | The Nehântick (Niantic) Nation | |
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| N'DahAhKiNaNa ("Our Ancient Heartland") | the Mohican country, the Mohican homeland | The Muh-he-ka-neew (Mohican) Nation | In the Abenaki language: Mahiganek ("At the Mohicans"). | |
| Ndakinna, N'dakina ("Our Land") | Abenaki country, the Abenaki country, the Abenaki homeland | The Alnôbak (Abenaki) Nation | In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language: Aponahkik. The traditional territory of the historic Wawenoc band, "the Wawenoc country", is called Mawooshen, "the Land of Mawooshen", Mavooshen, Moasham, and Mawashen, meaning "Berry Place." See also Wôbanakik (Wabanaki country). | (link) |
| Nēhiýānāhk ("In the Land of the Cree"), Nēhiýaw-askiy ("Land of the Cree") | traditional Cree territory, the Cree country | The Nēhiyaw (Cree) Nation | The national name Nēhiyaw is from the Plains Cree, but serves as a pan-Cree name (see for example the Cree Wikipedia article). So Nēhiýānāhk serves as a default name for Cree country as a whole, in a similar way that Anishinaabewaki is based on an Ojibwe spelling, but serves as common name for the entire supra-national Aninishinaabe traditional territory. The traditional territory of the East Crees is called Eeyou Istchee and Iynu Asci ("Land of the People"). Eeyou or Iyyu is the spelling in northern East Cree, while Iynu in southern East Cree. The traditional territory of the Plains Cree in particular is Paskwāwiýinīnāhk ("In the Land of the Plains Cree"). | |
| Newe Segobia ("The People's Earth Mother") | Western Shoshone country, the Western Shoshone homeland, Newe Country, the Newe Country | The Newe (Western Shoshone) People | "Newe country" and "the Newe country" has also been applied in English to the traditional territory of any and all of the Newe peoples (Shoshone, Bannock, and Paiute). | |
| Niitsitpiis-stahkoii ("Land of the Original People"), Nitawahsin-nanni ("Our Land") | Blackfoot country, the Blackfoot country, Blackfeet Country, the Blackfoot homeland | The Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) Confederacy traditionally includes the Káínaa (Blood) Nation, Piikani (Piegan) Nation, Siksika (Blackfoot) Nation, Tsu T'ina (Sarcee) Nation, and the Haaninin (Gros Ventre) Nation. | See also the entry for Hinono'eino (Gros Ventre) traditional territory. | |
| Nionwentsïo ("Magnificent Territory"), Wendake ("The Land Apart") | Huronia, the Huron country, the Wyandot country, Wyandotte country, the Wyandotte country, the Wendat country, the Huron-Wendat country, Old Huronia (=Wendake Ehen) | The Wendat (Wyandot/Huron) Nation | French: la Huronie, le pays des Hurons, Contrée des Hurons. In the Abenaki language: Ksitegwiiak ("Land of the Hurons"). Unlike the Huron-Wendat in Quebec, the three Wendat groups in the U.S. trace their origin to the Tionontati (Petun/Tobacco), Wenro, and Neutral nations, and to only one of the original Huron nations (the Attignawantan nation), rather to the Huron Confederacy as a whole. | (link) |
| Nippenit, Nipnet, Neepnet, Neipnett ("In a Place of Water", "Watering Place") Nipamaug, Nipmuck, Nipmug ("Freshwater Fishing-Place") | Nipmuc Country, Nipmuc country, the Nipmuck Country, the Nipmuck country, the Nipmuc country the Nipmuc homeland | The Nipamaug (Nipmuc) Nation | The traditional territory of the Wabaquasset band of Nipmuc is named Wabaquasset, Wabaquassuck. | |
| Nitaskinan ("Our Land") | Atikamekw country, traditional homeland of the Tête-de-Boule Indians | The Atikamekw (Têtes-de-Boules) Nation | A historic French term is "pays des Têtes-de-Boules." | (link) |
| Nitassinan, Ntesinan ("Our Land") | Innu country, the Innu country, Montagnais country, the Montagnais country, the Innu homeland | The Innu (Montagnais) Nation | An early French name: "le pays des Montagnais". Nitassinan refers to Innu territory as a whole. Innu Assi ("Land of the People") refers to those lands within Nitassinan whose title is held by the Innu. In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language: Muhtaniyewihkuk ("In Innu Territory"). | (link) |
| No-wa-mu ("Mother Earth") | Jemez country, the Jemez country, the Jemez homeland, the Jemez World | The Walatowa (Jemez) Nation | |
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| Nʉmʉnʉʉ Sookobitʉ ("Comanche Earth") | Comanche country, the Comanche country, the Comanche homeland, the Comancheria, Comancheria | The Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche) Nation | Spanish: Comanchería, la Comanchería. In the Skiri Pawnee language: Raarihtaaru ("among the Comanche; in Comanche country"). | (link) |
| Nundawaonoga, Nun-daˊ-wä-o-noˊ-ga ("Land of the People of the Great Hill") | Seneca country, the Seneca country | The Onondowahgah (Seneca) Nation | See also Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| Ñút^achi Máyan ("Land of the People of the River Mouth") | the Missouria homeland, the Missouria country | The Ñút^achi (Missouria) Nation | |
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| Nutshimiu-aschiiy, Nuchimiiyu-chhiiy ("Land in the Country", "Land of the Interior") | Naskapi country, the Naskapi country | The Iyuw (Naskapi) Nation | The Innu (Montagnais) consider the Naskapi to be a component band of their nation, yet the Naskapi generally conceive of themselves to be a distinct nation from the Montagnais, with their own language. | |
| ? The Ogáxpa (Quapaw) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Quapaw country, the Quapaw country, the Quapaw homeland | The Ogáxpa (Quapaw) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Uukaahpaawiru ("among the Quapaw; in Quapaw country"). | |
| Ojibwewaki ("Land of the Record Keepers") | the Chippewa country, the Ojibway country, Ojibwe country, Ojibwe Country, the Ojibwa country | The Ojibwe (Ojibwa/Chippewa) Nation | See also Anishinaabewaki. | |
| ? The Olekwo'l (Yurok) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Yurok country, Yurok country | The Olekwo'l (Yurok) Nation | In the Karuk language: Yurúk Veezívzaaneen ("Land of the Downriver People"). | |
| Omaeqnomenew-ahkew ("Land of the Wild Rice People") | Menominee country, the Menominee country, the Menominee homeland | The Kiash Matchitiwuk (Menominee) Nation | |
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| ? The Omàmiwininiwak (Algonquin) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Algonquin country, the Algonquin homeland | The Omàmiwininiwak (Algonquin) Nation | In the Abenaki language: Os8gonek ("Place of the Algonquin"). See also Anishinaabewaki. | |
| Onayotekaonoga, O-naˊ-yote-kä-o-noˊ-ga ("Land of the People of the Upright Stone") Onyota'a:ka', Onʌyoteʼa·ka·' ("People and Homelands of the Standing Stone") | Oneida country, the Oneida country, the Country of the Oneidas, the Oneida Territory, the Oneida homeland | The Onayotekaono (Oneida) Nation | See also Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| Onundagaonoga, O-nunˊdä-ga-o-noˊ-ga ("Land of the People of the Hills") | Onondaga Country, Onondaga country, the Onondaga country, the original country of Onondaga | The Onundagaono (Onondaga) Nation | See also Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| O'odham Jeweḍ ("Land of the People") | O'odham country, Papago and Pima country | The O'odham (Papago and Pima) Nation | Despite the outsiders' designations of "Pima" and "Papago", the trend among the O'odham people is to consider themselves to be bands of the same cultural nation:
"The division of O'odham lands has resulted in an artificial division of O'odham society. O'odham bands are now broken up into 4 federally recognized tribes: the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Gila River Indian Community, the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Salt River (Pima Maricopa) Indian community." (quote from the Tohono O'odham Nation website) In contrast to the entire traditional territory, O'odham ha-jeweḍga refers to the political Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. Tohono ("Desert") is the O'odham name for the Tohono O'odham (Pagago) portion of O'odham Jeweḍ. The Spanish name for this portion is Papaguería, which has also been used in English. The name "Tohono country", "the tohono jewed", "Papago country", "the Papago country", and "the Papago homeland" are also attested. For the Akimel O'odham (Pima) portion of the traditional territory, the names "Pima country", "the Pima country", and "the Pima homeland" are attested. |
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| Paariru ("Among the Pawnee; Pawnee country") | Pawnee country, the Pawnee country, the traditional Pawnee homeland | The Paari (Pawnee) Nation | Of the Pawnee band territories, the Skiri (Skidi Pawnee) country is named Ckiiriru and the Chawi (Republican Pawnee) country is named Cawiiriru. | |
| Panaôbskaiiak ("Land of the Penobscots") | the Penobscot country, the Penobscot homeland | The Panawahpskek (Penobscot) Nation | In the Eastern Abenaki spelling (the Penobscot national language is nearly identitical to Eastern Abenaki): Pana8bskaiiak ("Land of the Penobscots"). In Western Abenaki spelling: Panȣbskaik, Panaȣbskaiiak. In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language: Panuwapskek. | |
| ? The Paⁿka (Ponca) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Ponca country, the Ponca country, the Ponca homeland | The Paⁿka (Ponca) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Riihitawiru ("among the Ponca"). | |
| Pequatit ("At the Destroyers") | Pequod, Pequot country, the Pequot country, the old Pequot homeland, the Pequt countrey | The Pequttôog (Pequot) Nation | The traditional territory of the Wunnashowatuckoog band of Pequot is Wunnashowatuckqut or (shortened) Showatuckqut ("Where the River Splits"). | |
| Peskotomuhkatik, peskotomuhkatihkuk ("In the Land of the Polluck-Spearers") | Passamaquoddy country, Passamaquoddy territory the Traditional Ancestral Homeland Territory of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, traditional Passamaquoddy territory, Passamaquoddy Territory, the Passamaquoddy Territory, Passamaquoddy Ancestral Territory, Passamaquoddy Homeland Territory | The Peskotomuhkati (Passamaquoddy) Nation | See also Waponahkik (Wabanaki country). | |
| Pokanoket ("Land of the Bitter Water Bays and Coves") | Wampanoag Country, Wampanoag country, the Wampanoag Homeland, the Wampanoag homeland, Wampanoag territory, the Wampanoag territory | The Wôpanâak (Wampanoag) Nation | |
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| ? The Sahnish (Arikara) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Arikara country, the Arikara country, the Sahnish homeland | The Sahnish (Arikara) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Astarahiru ("among the Arikara, in Arikara country"). | |
| S'atsoyaha ("Land of the Sun-fire People"), S'atsole yudjiha ("Yuchi Homeland") | Yuchi country, the Yuchi country, Euchee country, the Yuchi homeland, the Uchee country, | The Tsoyaha (Yuchi) Nation | |
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| Shawandasse Tula ("Southwind Earth") | Shawnee country, the Shawnee country, the Shawnee homeland | The Shaawanwaki (Shawnee) Nation | |
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| Shiwinnaqin ("At the Flesh People"), Halona Idiwan’a ("Middle Place") | Zuniland, Zuni Country, Zuni's aboriginal territories, the A'shiwi country | The A:shiwi (Zuni) Nation | |
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| S’ólh Téméxw ("Our Land") | Stó:lō traditional territory, Sto:lo country, the Sto:lo country, Stolo country | The Sto:lo (Fraser River) Nation | |
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| Sq'ʷayáiɬaqtmš | Chehalis Indian Country, the Chehalis country | The Q'ʷay'áy'iɬq' (Chehalis) Nation | |
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| ? The Téenek traditional territory—autonym unknown. | The Huasteca, Wasteka, the La Huasteca, the Huastec homeland | The Téenek (Huastec) Nation | In the Nahuatl language: Cuextlan, Kuextlan. In Spanish: la Huasteca. | (link) |
| Thâkînâwe, Sâkînâwe ("Land of the Yellow Earth People") | the Sac country, the Sauk country, the Sauk homeland | The Othâkîwaki (Sauk/Sac) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Saakiiwaru ("among the Sauk, in Sauk country"). | |
| ? The Tickanwa•tic (Tonkawa) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Tonkawa country, the Tonkawa country | The Tickanwa•tic (Tonkawa) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Tarikawiru ("among the Tonkawas, Tonkawa country"). | |
| Tin-ta-mayuhk ("My Country"), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh ("Relating to the People of the Sacred Water"), Sko-mish-oath | the Squamish Country, the Squamish country, Squamish territory | The Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation | The Skwxwú7mesh interviewee who shared the name Tin-ta-mayuhk also says: "Musqueams have a name too, same word, but pronounced differently; people up Lillooet have different name;" (sounds like Tsasch) "all mean the same, 'my country.'" | |
| Tłı̨chǫ Ndè, Tlicho Nde ("Land of the Dog-Flank People") | the Dogrib country | The Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib) Nation | See also Denendeh. | |
| Továngar ("The World") | Tongva country, the Tongva homeland, Tongva-Gabrielino country, Gabrielino country, the Gabrielino country, the Gabrieleno homeland | The Tongva (Gabrielino) Nation | |
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| Tsalagihi Hawiniditlv Gesvi (ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎭᏫᏂᏗᏢ ᎨᏒᎢ; "Cherokee country", lit. "Cherokee within it-was"), Tsalaguwetiyi (ᏣᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ ; "the old Cherokee lands"; uweti = 'old'; this name appears to specifically refer to the original traditional territory in the east)
Tsay Keh Dene First Nation The Tsay Keh Dene First Nation is one of the Sekani bands of the Northern Interior of British Columbia. While they have an office in the City of Prince George, their territories, settlements, and Indian Reserves are all to the north, in the area of Williston Lake. |
Cherokee Country, Cherokee country, the Cherokee country, the Cherokee homeland
Tsay Keh Dene means "People of the Mountain". |
The Aniyvwiya (Cherokee) Nation | |
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| Tsenacommacah, Tsenacomoco, Tenakomakah, Attanoughkomouck, Attan-Akamik ("Land of Much Events") | the Powhatan country, Powhatan country, the Powhatan homeland, Powhatan's territory | The PoHaTan (Powhatan) Confederacy | Tsenacommacah is also glossed as "Virginia". The name was perceived by the early English settlers to be the native equivalent for what they called "Virginia". Tsenacommacah appears to be cognate with Ojibwe danakamigad "be an activity, be an event, happen". Arahatecoh is the traditional territory of the Arrohattoc nation within the Powhatan confederacy. | (link) |
| Tséstho'e, Zesthoe ("Land of Our People") | Cheyenne country, the Cheyenne country, the Cheyenne homeland | The Tsitsistas and So'taeo'o (Cheyenne) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Sahiiru ("in Cheyenne country"). | |
| Tupippuh Nummu ("Our Homeland") | the Timbisha Homeland, Timbisha country, the Panamint country | The Timbisha (Panamint) Nation | |
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| ? The Tutunucu (Totonac) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Totonac country, the Totonac country, the Totonac homeland, | The Tutunucu (Totonac) Nation | In the Nahuatl language: Totonacapan ("Place of the Totonac"). | |
| Waayaahtanonki ("Place of the Whirlpool") | the Wea country, the Wea lands | The Waayaahtanwa (Wea) Nation | See also Myaamionki (Miami country). | |
| Wabanahkik (in the Micmac language), Waponahkik (in the Maliseet-Passamaquoddy language), Wôbanakik (in the Abenaki-Penobscot language). These all mean "Land of Dawn, Land of the First Light". | the Dawnland, Wabanaki country, the Wabanaki country, Wabanaki Country, the land of the Wabanaki | The Wabanaki Confederacy includes the Micmac Nation, Maliseet Nation, Passamaquoddy Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Abenaki Nation. | The name for the Dawnland in other Algonkic languages: Wàbanakìng (in Algonquin), Waabanakiing (in Ojibwe), Waabnakiing (in Odawa), Wabnekig (in Potawatomi). | |
| ? The Wah-Zha-Zhi (Osage) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Osage country, the Osage country, the great Osage homeland, the Osage homelands, the Osage ancestral territory | The Wah-Zha-Zhi (Osage) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language: Pasaasiru ("among the Osages; in Osage territory"). | |
| Wašišiw Ɂítdeʔ Wa She Shu E Deh ("The People from Here") | Wašiw lands, Washoe country, the Washoe country | The Wašiw (Washoe) Nation | |
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| Wazija Haci ("Those who dwell in the pines"), Wazija, Wazidja, Waazija ("The Grand Pinery") | the Wazija, the Wazidja, the Hočąk Wazija, the land of the Hočągara, Ho-Chunk country, Winnebago country, the Winnebago country, the Winnebago homeland | The Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nation | An early French name: pays des Puants. | |
| Wintʰu· Po·m ("Land of the People") | Wintu country | The Wintu Nation | There are traditionally nine band territories, such as wenem memen bos ("the middle water place/country"), and nomte pom or Nom ti pom ("In the west country"). | |
| Wolastokuk ("Land of the Beautiful River") | Maliseet country, the Malecite country | The Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Nation | See also Waponahkik (Wabanaki country). | |
| X̱aaydag̱a Gwaay.yaay, Xhaaidlagha Gwaayaai, Xaadala Gwayee ("Islands at the Edge of the World"), X̱aayda gwaay, Haida Gwaii ("Islands of the People") | Haida country, the Haida homeland | The X̱aadas (Haida) Nation | (link) | |
| Yagaocanahagary ("Land Between the Two Points") | Piscataway Country | The Piscataway (Conoy) Nation | |
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| ? The Yokot'anob (Chontal) traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Chontalpa, the Chontal homeland | The Yokot'anob (Chontal) Nation | In the Nahuatl language: Chontalpa ("Land of the Foreigners"). In Spanish: la Chontalpa. "Chontalpa" remains the name of a Mexican economic planning region coterminous with four political municipalities. | |
Criteria for inclusion
For the purpose of this list, "nation" refers to the historic, whole national identities, rather than to the fragmented "reservation nations" or "bands". The whole nations are what John Beaucage, Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, refers to as "true nations" in contrast with the fragmented "First Nations":
Or what the Government of Quebec calls "the 11 aboriginal nations of Québec" in contrast with their component "55 aboriginal communities". And so the criteria for inclusion is not the same as what are named "Indian tribes" by the U.S. Federal Register and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), or what are called "First Nations" by the Canadian government and Assembly of First Nations (AFN). It would be interesting to compile the names for the "band territories" of the 633 fragmented First Nations of the AFN, or the names of the "reservation territories" of the 632 fragmented Indian Nations of the NCAI, but that is beyond the scope of this article, except as side notes in the "further information" column.
So this list does not include the names for reservations or reserves, but only of the entire national homeland (or the homeland of a confederated identity such as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy or Colville tribes). For example, this list wouldn't give the Cherokee name for the Qualla Boundary reservation, but only the name for "the Cherokee country" as a whole. Ideally a single name could conceivably encompass not only the Contact-era ancestral territory, but also any area which at some time or another was conceived to be part of the national domain, such as post-Removal lands.
The names do not have to be from olden days. The names could be recently coined and still be included in this list.
Compiling a list such as this can be a difficult and controversial process, as it requires some discernment as to what are the "whole nations" — the "true nations" in Beaucage's words.
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List of traditional territories of the Indigenous peoples of North America Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.