This page highlights some Indigenous-led place naming and mapping initiatives across Canada.
Building on rich Indigenous mapmaking traditions and geographic knowledge, these grassroots efforts document, preserve, and promote key place names within Indigenous territories. They also reflect the valuable historical and cultural knowledge connected to these places. For further information, please contact the Secretariat of the Geographical Names Board of Canada (GNBC) at geonames-toponymes@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
First Nation: Tla'amin Nation
Project Name: ʔəms gɩǰɛ (Our Land) - Traditional Place Names of the Tla'amin Nation (qathet Museum & Archives 2018)
Creators: Members of the Tla’amin Nation
Province: British Columbia
First Nation: Tŝilhqot’in Nation Government
Project Name: Tŝilhqot’in Ch’ih Gudzɨsh – Nexwenen Lands & Waters for the Tŝilhqot’in people
Creators: Tŝilhqot’in Nation Government
Province: British Columbia
First Nation: Taku River Tlingit First Nation
Project Name: Taku River Tlingit Place Names Map
Creators: Members of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and various collaborators
Province & Territory: British Columbia & Yukon
Nation: Inuit
Project Name: Traditional Place Names Program / Nunavut Map Series
Creators: Local Elders, Knowledge Holders and land users providing traditional names to Inuit Heritage Trust Incorporated
Territory: Nunavut
Organization: La Commission de toponymie du Québec
Project Name: Éléments du patrimoine toponymique autochtone du Québec
Creators: La Commission de toponymie du Québec in partnership with various Indigenous communities
Province: Québec
Organizations: Makivvik Corporation, Avataq Cultural Institute and Inuit communities with the financial support from Makivik Corporation and Canadian Heritage
Project Name: Nunavik Inuit Place Names and Stories – Continuing our Legacy: Naniittuq Place Names Map
Creators: The Avataq Cultural Institute and members of Inuit communities
Province: Québec (Nunavik)
First Nation: Southern Tutchone
Project Name: Dákeyi (Our Country)
Creators: Yukon Native Language Centre and community collaborators
Territory: Yukon