List of traditional territories of the Indigenous peoples of North America facts for kids
A Traditional Territory is all the land that an Indigenous nation has always considered their home, not just the smaller areas called reservations today. This article is about the names for these traditional lands themselves, not the names of the people or tribes. Think of it like the difference between the French people and the country of France, or the Māori people and their homeland, Aotearoa. For example, the traditional land of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nation is called Waaziija, which means "the Grand Pinery."
In English, the land of an Indigenous nation was often called a "country," like "(the) Winnebago country." Sometimes, Latin-sounding names were used, such as "Iroquoia" or "Huronia."
Names for Traditional Territories
Here is a list of traditional territories and their names. You'll see the name the people use for their land, common English names, and the nation connected to that land.
| Name in the Nation's Language (Autonym) | Common English Names for the Territory | The Nation Connected to the Territory | More Information | Wikipedia Article? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ? The Aa'ku (Acoma Pueblo) traditional territory—name unknown. | the Acoma country, the Acoma homeland | The Aa'ku (Acoma) Nation |  |
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| ? The A'aninin (Gros Ventre) traditional territory—name unknown. | Gros Ventre country, the Gros Ventre homeland | The A'aninin (Gros Ventre) Nation | This territory is also part of the wider Blackfoot Confederacy's traditional land, called Niitsitpiis-stahkoii. | |
| ? The Andastoerrhonon (Susquehannock/Conestoga) traditional territory—name is Conestoga Homeland | the Susquehannock country, the Conestoga country, the Minquas' Land | The Andastoerrhonon (Susquehannock/Conestoga) Nation | In Huron and French languages, this land was called Gandastogue or Andastoé. | N/A |
| Anishinaabewaki, Anishinaabe Ahiki, Anishinaabe-aki, Anishinaabeg Akiing | Anishinaabe Country, the Anishinaabe Aki | The Anishinaabe People are a large group that includes the Three Fires Confederacy (Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi Nations) and other related nations like the Algonquin, Mississauga, and Nipissing. | The name "Anishinaabe" can also mean "Ojibwe country" or "Odawa country." In French, it's l'Anishinabe Aki. The Nishnawbe Aski territory refers to lands in Northern Ontario. | |
| Apsáalooke Issawua, Absarog-Issawua ("Land of the Children of the Large Beaked Bird") | Crow country, the Crow country | 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 land of the Upper Ahtna people is called Tatl'ahwt'aenn Nenn' ("Headwaters People's Country"). | |
| ? The Attawandaron (Neutral) traditional territory—name unknown. | the Neutral country, the country of the Neutrals | The Attawandaron (Neutral) Nation | The Kahkwa nation's land was called Atrakwae in the Huron language. | |
| Báxoje Máyan ("Land of the Gray Snow People") | Ioway country, the Iowa country | The Báxoje (Iowa/Ioway) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Pahkutawiru. | |
| Bodéwadmiakiwen, Bodewadmi kik ("Land of the Keepers of the Fire") | the Potawatomi country, Potawatomi land | The Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Raawaruhkisiru. This land is also part of Anishinaabewaki. | |
| Chahta Yakni ("Land of Chahta") | Choctaw country, the Choctaw country | The Chahta (Choctaw) Nation | In Choctaw stories, "Chahta" is the name of the first man to come from the earth. | |
| Chicora | the land of Chicora | The Chicora Nation | In Spanish, it's tierra de Chicora. | |
| Chikashsha Yakni, Chikasha yakni ("Land of Chicksa") | Chickasaw Country, the Chickasaw country | The Chikashsha (Chickasaw) Nation | In Chickasaw stories, "Chicksa" is the name of the second man to come from 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 main meanings: 1) a group of six communities in the Northwest Territories, who call themselves the Dene Nation. 2) A broader term for all Northern Athabaskan peoples in Canada and Alaska. | Denendeh could be used for all Northern Athabaskan traditional territories, similar to Anishinaabewaki. | |
| Diné Bikéyah ("Land of the People"), Naabeehó Bikéyah, Dinétah ("Among the People") | Navajoland, the Navajo country | The Diné (Navajo) Nation | Dinétah can mean the original homeland, while Diné Bikéyah refers to the wider territory. Naabeehó Bináhásdzo is the name for the Navajo reservation. | (link) |
| Dule Nega, Dulenega, Tulenega ("House of the People"), Guna Yala, Kuna Yala ("Land of the Kuna") | the Kuna homeland, Kuna country | The Dule (Guna/Kuna) Nation | Guna Yala is also the name of a political area in Panama where the Kuna live. | |
| Dusgaowehonoga, Dus-gaˊ-o-weh-o-noˊ-ga | Tuscarora country, the Tuscarora country | The Ska-Ruh-Reh (Tuscarora) Nation | This land is part of Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| Gawi Wachi ("The Place of Nurturing") | the Tarahumara 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, the Cayuga country | The Guyohkohnyoh (Cayuga) Nation | This land is part of 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 Six Nations. | The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. This group includes the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca, and Onondaga Nations. | In French, it's Pays des Iroquois. Haudenosauneega includes five "countries": the lands of the Five Nations in New York, the Ohio Valley, Michigan, the Adirondack Mountains, and Southern Ontario. | |
| Hiakim | the Yaqui country, the Yaqui homeland | The Yoeme (Yaqui) Nation | |
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| ? The Hinono'eino (Arapaho) traditional territory—name unknown. | Arapaho country, the Arapaho homeland | The Hinono'eino (Arapaho) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Sariˀitihkawiru. | |
| Hopitutskwa, Hopi Tutskwa ("Land of the Peaceful Ones") | Hopiland, Hopi Land, the Hopi country | The Hopi Nation | |
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| Inokinki, Inokinghi ("Place of the Inoca") | the Illinois Country, the country of the Inoca | The Inoca (Illinois/Illini) Confederacy includes the Cahokia, Kaskaskia, Michigamea, Peoria, and Tamaroa Nations. | In French, it's Pays des Illinois. | |
| Inuit Nunaat ("Land of the People") | the Inuit homeland, the Inuit country | The Inuit (Eskimo) Nation | The Inuit Circumpolar Council uses Inuit Nunaat for the entire Arctic region where Inuit people live. In Canada, the Inuit regions are called Inuit Nunangat ("The People's Land, Water, and Ice"). | |
| Jiwére Máyan, Wadodana Máyan ("Land of the Otoes") | Otoe country, the Otoe country | The Jíwere (Otoe) Nation | |
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| ? The Ka'igwu (Kiowa) Cáuidàumgà (Kiowa Country) traditional territory—name unknown. | Kiowa country, the Kiowa homeland | The Ka'igwu (Kiowa) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Kaˀiwaru. | |
| Kanién:ke, Kanienkeh, Kanyę̂·ke ("Land of Flint"), Ganeagaonoga, Gä-neă-ga-o-noˊ-ga | Mohawk country, the Mohawk homeland | The Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk) Nation | In French, it was called Agné. This land is part of Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| ? The Kanza (Kaw) traditional territory—name unknown. | Kaw Country, Kansa country, the Kaw homeland | The Kanza (Kaw) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Arahuuru. | |
| Karúk Veezívzaaneen ("Land of the Upriver People") | 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 Kootzaduka’a are a band of the Northern Paiute people. Their homeland, Kootzagwae, is part of the larger Northern Paiute homeland, Numu Tubewa. | |
| Ktunaxa ʔamakʔis | Ktunaxa territory | Ktunaxa people | |
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| Kulhulmcilh ("Our Land") | Nuxalk country, Bella Coola country | The Nuxálk (Bella Coola) Nation | |
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| Lakhota Makhoche ("Land of the Allies") | Lakota Country, the Lakota 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, Lenape country | The Lenape (Delaware) Nation | Lenapehoking is a modern name for any land connected to the Lenape. Scheyischbi refers to their original homeland on the Mid-Atlantic coast. | (link) |
| Lingít Aaní, Lingit Aani ("Land of the People of the Tides") | 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 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 | The English colony and later U.S. state of Massachusetts was named after this territory and its people. | |
| 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 Mēxihcah (Aztec) Nation | The country 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 | The Mi'kmaw (Micmac) Nation | In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language, it's Mihkomahkik. This land is part of Wabanahkik (Wabanaki country). | |
| Môhikaniks, Monheganick ("Land of the Wolf People") | Mohegan country, the Mohegan Homeland | The Mohegan Nation | |
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| Myaamionki ("Place of the Downstream People") | the Myaamiaki homeland, Miami country | The Myaamiaki (Miami) Nation and Confederacy. This group includes the Miami, Eel River, Piankeshaw, and Wea Nations. | |
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| Nanticoke Ahkee, Nantaquak Ahkee, Nentego Ahkee ("Land of the Tidewater People"), Nanticoke Pamtuckquah ("River of the Tidewater People") | Nanticoke country, the Nanticoke homeland | The Nentego (Nanticoke) Nation | Nanticoke Pamtuckquah refers to the original homeland along the Nanticoke River. | |
| Na:tinixw ("Where the Trails Return" = Hupa Valley) | Hupa country, the Hupa homeland | 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 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, it's Mahiganek. | |
| Ndakinna, N'dakina ("Our Land") | Abenaki country, the Abenaki homeland | The Alnôbak (Abenaki) Nation | In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language, it's Aponahkik. This land is part of 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 | Nēhiýānāhk is a general name for all Cree lands. The East Crees' land is Eeyou Istchee ("Land of the People"). The Plains Cree's land is Paskwāwiýinīnāhk. | |
| Newe Segobia ("The People's Earth Mother") | Western Shoshone country, the Western Shoshone homeland | The Newe (Western Shoshone) People | "Newe country" can also refer to the lands of all Newe peoples (Shoshone, Bannock, and Paiute). | |
| Niitsitpiis-stahkoii ("Land of the Original People"), Nitawahsin-nanni ("Our Land") | Blackfoot country, the Blackfoot homeland | The Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) Confederacy includes the Káínaa (Blood), Piikani (Piegan), Siksika (Blackfoot), Tsu T'ina (Sarcee), and Haaninin (Gros Ventre) Nations. | |
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| Nionwentsïo ("Magnificent Territory"), Wendake ("The Land Apart") | Huronia, the Huron country, the Wyandot country | The Wendat (Wyandot/Huron) Nation | In French, it's la Huronie. In the Abenaki language, it's Ksitegwiiak. | (link) |
| Nippenit, Nipnet, Neepnet, Neipnett ("In a Place of Water", "Watering Place") Nipamaug, Nipmuck, Nipmug ("Freshwater Fishing-Place") | Nipmuc Country, the Nipmuc homeland | The Nipamaug (Nipmuc) Nation | The land of the Wabaquasset band of Nipmuc is named Wabaquasset. | |
| 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 homeland | The Innu (Montagnais) Nation | An early French name was "le pays des Montagnais". Nitassinan refers to all Innu territory. | (link) |
| No-wa-mu ("Mother Earth") | Jemez country, the Jemez homeland | The Walatowa (Jemez) Nation | |
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| Nʉmʉnʉʉ Sookobitʉ ("Comanche Earth") | Comanche country, the Comanche homeland, the Comancheria | The Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche) Nation | In Spanish, it's Comanchería. In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Raarihtaaru. | (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 | This land is part of 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 Naskapi see themselves as a separate nation from the Montagnais, even though the Innu (Montagnais) consider them part of their nation. | |
| ? The Ogáxpa (Quapaw) traditional territory—name unknown. | Quapaw country, the Quapaw homeland | The Ogáxpa (Quapaw) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Uukaahpaawiru. | |
| Ojibwewaki ("Land of the Record Keepers") | the Chippewa country, Ojibwe country | The Ojibwe (Ojibwa/Chippewa) Nation | This land is part of Anishinaabewaki. | |
| ? The Olekwo'l (Yurok) traditional territory—name unknown. | the Yurok country, Yurok country | The Olekwo'l (Yurok) Nation | In the Karuk language, it's Yurúk Veezívzaaneen. | |
| Omaeqnomenew-ahkew ("Land of the Wild Rice People") | Menominee country, the Menominee homeland | The Kiash Matchitiwuk (Menominee) Nation | |
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| ? The Omàmiwininiwak (Algonquin) traditional territory—name unknown. | the Algonquin country, the Algonquin homeland | The Omàmiwininiwak (Algonquin) Nation | In the Abenaki language, it's Os8gonek. This land is part of 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 homeland | The Onayotekaono (Oneida) Nation | This land is part of Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| Onundagaonoga, O-nunˊdä-ga-o-noˊ-ga ("Land of the People of the Hills") | Onondaga Country, the Onondaga country | The Onundagaono (Onondaga) Nation | This land is part of Haudenosauneega (Iroquoia). | |
| O'odham Jeweḍ ("Land of the People") | O'odham country, Papago and Pima country | The O'odham (Papago and Pima) Nation | The O'odham people see themselves as one cultural nation, even though they are divided into four federally recognized tribes today. O'odham ha-jeweḍga refers to the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. | |
| Paariru ("Among the Pawnee; Pawnee country") | Pawnee country, the traditional Pawnee homeland | The Paari (Pawnee) Nation | The Skiri Pawnee country is Ckiiriru, and the Chawi Pawnee country is Cawiiriru. | |
| Panaôbskaiiak ("Land of the Penobscots") | the Penobscot country, the Penobscot homeland | The Panawahpskek (Penobscot) Nation | This land is part of Wabanahkik (Wabanaki country). | |
| ? The Paⁿka (Ponca) traditional territory—name unknown. | Ponca country, the Ponca homeland | The Paⁿka (Ponca) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Riihitawiru. | |
| Pequatit ("At the Destroyers") | Pequot country, the Pequot homeland | The Pequttôog (Pequot) Nation | The land of the Wunnashowatuckoog band of Pequot is Wunnashowatuckqut. | |
| Peskotomuhkatik, peskotomuhkatihkuk ("In the Land of the Polluck-Spearers") | Passamaquoddy country, Passamaquoddy territory | The Peskotomuhkati (Passamaquoddy) Nation | This land is part of Waponahkik (Wabanaki country). | |
| Pokanoket ("Land of the Bitter Water Bays and Coves") | Wampanoag Country, the Wampanoag Homeland | The Wôpanâak (Wampanoag) Nation | |
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| ? The Sahnish (Arikara) traditional territory—name unknown. | Arikara country, the Sahnish homeland | The Sahnish (Arikara) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Astarahiru. | |
| S'atsoyaha ("Land of the Sun-fire People"), S'atsole yudjiha ("Yuchi Homeland") | Yuchi country, the Yuchi homeland | The Tsoyaha (Yuchi) Nation | |
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| Shawandasse Tula ("Southwind Earth") | 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 | The A:shiwi (Zuni) Nation | |
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| S’ólh Téméxw ("Our Land") | Stó:lō traditional territory, Sto:lo 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—name unknown. | The Huasteca, the Huastec homeland | The Téenek (Huastec) Nation | In the Nahuatl language, it's Cuextlan. In Spanish, it's la Huasteca. | (link) |
| Thâkînâwe, Sâkînâwe ("Land of the Yellow Earth People") | the Sac country, the Sauk homeland | The Othâkîwaki (Sauk/Sac) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Saakiiwaru. | |
| ? The Tickanwa•tic (Tonkawa) traditional territory—name unknown. | Tonkawa country, the Tonkawa country | The Tickanwa•tic (Tonkawa) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Tarikawiru. | |
| Tin-ta-mayuhk ("My Country"), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh ("Relating to the People of the Sacred Water"), Sko-mish-oath | the Squamish Country, Squamish territory | The Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation | The name Tin-ta-mayuhk means "my country" and is similar in other Indigenous languages. | |
| Tłı̨chǫ Ndè, Tlicho Nde ("Land of the Dog-Flank People") | the Dogrib country | The Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib) Nation | This land is part of Denendeh. | |
| Továngar ("The World") | Tongva country, the Tongva homeland, Gabrielino country | The Tongva (Gabrielino) Nation | |
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| Tsalagihi Hawiniditlv Gesvi (ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎭᏫᏂᏗᏢ ᎨᏒᎢ; "Cherokee country"), Tsalaguwetiyi (ᏣᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ ; "the old Cherokee lands") | Cherokee Country, the Cherokee homeland | The Aniyvwiya (Cherokee) Nation | The Tsay Keh Dene First Nation is a Sekani band in British Columbia, whose name means "People of the Mountain." | |
| Tsenacommacah, Tsenacomoco, Tenakomakah, Attanoughkomouck, Attan-Akamik ("Land of Much Events") | the Powhatan country, Powhatan's territory | The PoHaTan (Powhatan) Confederacy | Early English settlers thought Tsenacommacah was the native name for "Virginia." | (link) |
| Tséstho'e, Zesthoe ("Land of Our People") | Cheyenne country, the Cheyenne homeland | The Tsitsistas and So'taeo'o (Cheyenne) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Sahiiru. | |
| Tupippuh Nummu ("Our Homeland") | the Timbisha Homeland, Panamint country | The Timbisha (Panamint) Nation | |
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| ? The Tutunucu (Totonac) traditional territory—name unknown. | Totonac country, the Totonac homeland | The Tutunucu (Totonac) Nation | In the Nahuatl language, it's Totonacapan. | |
| Waayaahtanonki ("Place of the Whirlpool") | the Wea country, the Wea lands | The Waayaahtanwa (Wea) Nation | This land is part of 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 Confederacy includes the Micmac, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Abenaki Nations. | The name for the Dawnland is similar in other Algonkian languages. | |
| ? The Wah-Zha-Zhi (Osage) traditional territory—name unknown. | Osage country, the Osage homeland | The Wah-Zha-Zhi (Osage) Nation | In the Skiri Pawnee language, it's Pasaasiru. | |
| Wašišiw Ɂítdeʔ Wa She Shu E Deh ("The People from Here") | Wašiw lands, 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, Ho-Chunk country, Winnebago country, the Winnebago homeland | The Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nation | An early French name was pays des Puants. | |
| Wintʰu· Po·m ("Land of the People") | Wintu country | The Wintu Nation | There are nine traditional band territories, such as wenem memen bos ("the middle water place/country"). | |
| Wolastokuk ("Land of the Beautiful River") | Maliseet country, the Malecite country | The Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Nation | This land is part of 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—name unknown. | the Chontalpa, the Chontal homeland | The Yokot'anob (Chontal) Nation | In the Nahuatl language, it's Chontalpa. In Spanish, it's la Chontalpa. | |
How Do We Decide What's a "Nation"?
For this list, a "nation" means the original, full identity of an Indigenous group. It's not just the smaller "reservation nations" or "bands" that exist today. John Beaucage, a chief of the Anishinabek Nation, calls these larger groups "true nations."
For example, the Government of Quebec talks about "the 11 aboriginal nations of Québec." This is different from the "55 aboriginal communities" that make up those nations.
So, this list doesn't include the names for reservations. Instead, it focuses on the names for the entire homeland of a nation or a group of nations, like the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. For instance, you won't find the Cherokee name for a specific reservation here. You'll only find the name for "the Cherokee country" as a whole.
These names don't have to be very old. Even recently created names can be included if they represent the entire national homeland.
Creating a list like this can be tricky. It requires careful thought to figure out what counts as a "whole nation" or a "true nation."
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List of traditional territories of the Indigenous peoples of North America Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.