Geographical Names Board of Canada International Activities
Through participation in international meetings and activities, the Geographical Names Board of Canada (GNBC) Secretariat works to advance the standardization of geographical place names globally.
Canada's international engagement on geographical names reflects our broader commitments, including:
- implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration)
- supporting the International Decade of Indigenous Languages
Indigenous place names contribute to the preservation, revitalization and strengthening of Indigenous histories, languages and cultures. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has appointed three Indigenous Advisors to the GNBC to:
- provide expertise to Canada's naming authorities
- ensure the Board's work reflects the distinct role that Indigenous Peoples hold in revitalizing and honouring their traditional geographical place names
Learn more about geographical names and the Declaration.
Upcoming events
Mapping the Future: Innovation, Inclusion and Sustainability
32nd International Cartographic Conference
Date: August 16 to 22, 2025
Location: Vancouver BC
Details:
United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names
The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) is the United Nations body responsible for encouraging national and international geographical names standardization.
Canada leads an UNGEGN focus group on Indigenous and minority language geographical names. The focus group supports:
- international promotion and recognition of Indigenous place names
- Member States in establishing, updating or improving their operational and standardization practices related to Indigenous place naming
Under UNGEGN, the GNBC Secretariat also co-leads the activities of the United States of America (USA)/Canada Division with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Under this Division, the USA and Canada collaborate and share information on topics of common interest, including:
- approaches to Indigenous geographical naming
- derogatory place names in each country
Standards development organizations
GNBC has been recording the Indigenous languages of origin in the Canadian Geographical Name Database associated with geographical names across Canada. This work involves engaging an expert linguist to prepare amendments and updates to the international standard for languages, ISO 639-3.
ISO-639-3 is a standardized nomenclature used to classify and represent all known human languages, including living, extinct, historic or constructed languages. There are gaps and dated terminology in ISO-639-3 and the standard does not accurately represent Indigenous community naming practices in Canada. The GNBC Secretariat works to address these gaps and ensure that geographical names, and the Indigenous languages rooted in those names, are respectfully and accurately represented in Canada and abroad.
Learn more about other efforts on Geospatial collaboration and governance.
Research on Indigenous and minority language place-naming policies and practices
The GNBC Secretariat supports research on international best practices for Indigenous geographical naming. The GNBC worked with a researcher to survey and create a comprehensive report on approaches to Indigenous and minority-language geographical naming around the world. This report informs GNBC’s development of its own place-naming principles and procedures. Learn more about some of the key takeaways from this report: International policy scan of Indigenous and minority-language geographical names.
The GNBC Secretariat continues to explore research in this area, including through the development of a Best Practices for Indigenous Place Naming document, intended to support Canada’s naming authorities when naming or renaming geographical features.
Related links
Contact us
Geographical Names Board of Canada Secretariat
580 Booth Street, 5th Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0E4
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