Indigenous Peoples

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.

Guiding principles

• 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 and 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.
• Writers can also refer to style guides like Elements of Indigenous Style, written by Gregory Younging, that provide guidelines on how to write about Indigenous Peoples.