Indigenous Peoples

Last updated: July 29, 2025

Territorial acknowledgement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

Learn more about the University of Waterloo Territorial Acknowledgement and about the three First Nations within the Territorial Acknowledgement.

Principles and conventions to consider when writing or reporting on Indigenous Peoples:

It is critical to learn and acknowledge that certain terms have been used to belittle, oppress and erase First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their cultures. Utilizing culturally responsive language supports collective efforts toward decolonization and reconciliation.
The Indigenous Terminology Guide offers guidelines on capitalization (i.e. when capitalization of a specific word is or is not recommended). The guide along with other resources provided by Indigenous Relations should be considered the primary reference for Waterloo communicators writing about Indigenous Peoples.
Our goal when following style and terminology guidelines is to be respectful and accurate.
When in doubt, it is always best to ask how someone identifies themselves and how they would like to be referred to.
Whenever possible, it is always best to refer to a person’s specific First Nation or community (i.e. Mohawk First Nation, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Inuit, etc.).
Avoid possessive pronouns when referring to Indigenous Peoples such as “our Indigenous community” or “Canada’s Indigenous population”. An alternative would be “the Indigenous community at Waterloo” or “the Indigenous Peoples of Canada”.
Avoid referencing ‘Indigenous culture’ and instead use ‘Indigenous cultures’ (plural) or First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis culture(s) specifically to recognize the diversity of Indigenous cultures and avoid pan-indigeneity.

Recommended language and explanation

Eskimo

Use when referring to the Indigenous peoples of Alaska or when someone self identifies as such.

First Nations

May be used to refer to a group of people whereas First Nation (singular) can be in reference to a specific community.

Indigenous

Use when referencing First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Terms such as “Aboriginal,” “Native” or “Indian” are outdated and should only be used when referencing their legal use in the Canadian Constitution or in reference to the Indian Act, for example.

Indigenous Peoples

Use sparingly when referencing First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Whenever possible, it is best to name First Nations, Inuit and Métis separately or refer to specific communities where applicable.

Inuit

Refers to Indigenous people living primarily in or originating from four Inuit regions in Canada: the Inuvialuit Settlement Regions (Northwest Territories), Nunavut, Nunavik (Northern Québec) and Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador). The term Inuit means “the people” therefore saying “Inuit people” is redundant.

Inuk

Use Inuk when referring to an individual Inuit person.

Inuuk

Use Inuuk when referring to two people; for three or more people, use Inuit.

Métis

Refers to distinctive peoples of mixed ancestry who developed their own customs, practices, traditions and recognizable group identities separate from their First Nations, Inuit and European ancestors. The term "Métis" does not refer to all individuals of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry.

Two-Spirit

A translation of the Anishinaabemowin term 'niizh manidoowag', refers to a person who embodies both a masculine and feminine spirit. This term is specific to and should only be used for Indigenous Peoples who may use the term to describe their gender and/or sexual and/or spiritual identity. It is important to note that the exact definition may vary from nation to nation and individual to individual.

Notes on capitalization

The 'p' in Peoples if referring to multiple nations, i.e. Indigenous Peoples should be capitalized. Don't capitalize the word people if it comes after a single nation whose name has already been capitalized (i.e. Haudenosaunee people).
The word "Indigenization" should be capitalized as a sign of respect as it implies reference to Indigenous Peoples and ways of being and knowing.
The words "truth" and "reconciliation" do not need to be capitalized unless referring to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission specifically.
The word "decolonization" does not need to be capitalized as it is not referencing people and does not require the capitalization as a sign of respect.
The word “Survivor” should be capitalized when referencing residential school Survivors as a sign of respect for the Indigenous Peoples who attended residential schools and survived.

If you have further questions, please contact Indigenous Relations at indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca.