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Learn about the Land and Peoples of վdzپà:/ Montreal

Two diagonal purple arrows crossing one another at their center

The un-ceded lands where McGill University is located hold a long and rich history of occupation and stewardship by Indigenous peoples for millennia through to the present day. Recognizing and respecting the presence of these historical and contemporary communities, and their unending connection to and care of this land, is an important step towards building trust and creating or renewing relationships.

The Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabeg peoples have long ties to what is now the Island of Montreal. Kawenote Teiontiakon is a documented Kanien’kéha name for the Island of Montreal. The City of Montreal is known as վdzپà: in Kanien’kéha, and Mooniyang in Anishinaabemowin. McGill University is located closest to the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation communities at Kahnawá:ke, Աà: and Akwesasne. The Kanien'kehá:ka Nation is a founding nation of the Haudenosaunee/People of the Longhouse (Iroquois) Confederacy which is also comprised of the Seneca, Tuscarora, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Oneida Nations. The Hochelaga Monument on McGill’s Lower Campus Field commemorates the Iroquoian village of Hochelaga visited by Jacques Cartier in 1535, which was situated in the area around Mont Royal. Beyond the Downtown and Macdonald campuses on the Island of Montreal, McGill University also features four research stations in addition to the newly opened Campus Outaouais in Gatineau, Quebec.


What are the Indigenous lands upon which McGill University is situated?

Ծ’ká:첹 Territory:Downtown and Macdonald Campuses, Island of Montreal

Anishinabeg Territory:Campus Outaouais, Gatineau, Quebec

Abenaki Territory:Gault Nature Reserve on Mount Saint Hillaire, Quebec

Naskapi and Innu Territory:McGill Sub-Arctic Research Station in Schefferville, Quebec

Inuit Territory:McGill Artic Research Station on Grise Fiord Inuit-owned land, Nunavut

Taino (Arawak) and Kalinago (Carib) Territory:McGill Tropical Bellaires Research Station, Barbados


Land Acknowledgements

Land acknowledgements are one way of acknowledging the presence of Indigenous nations. Another important step towards reconciliation is learning about the particular communities and nations with ties to վdzپà:/ Montreal.

Land Acknowledgement Guides

How to Make a Land Acknowledgement - McGill

External Guides to Land Acknowledgements

  • - History, rationale, pronounciation guide, and FAQ of territorial acknowledgement

Pronunciation Guide

Name Phonetic Pronunciation

Ծ’ká:첹

Haudenosaunee

վdzپà:

Anishinabeg

Ga-niyen-ge-HAA-ga

Hoh-DEE-noh-SHoh-nee

Joh-jaw-gay

-Ծ--Բ’-

Listen to pronounciations:

  • ɱáԱ

Audio icon ahkwesahsne_.mp3

  • Anishinaabeg

Audio icon anishnaabeg.mp3

  • Haudenosaunee canon Rotinonshonni - The Iroquois League

Audio icon haudenosaunee_canon_rotinonshonni_.mp3

  • Io - You're welcome
  • Ionkhhisotho:kon Ratiwe:ras - Grandfather, the thunderers

Audio icon ionkhhisotho_kon_ratiwe_ras_.mp3

  • Ionkhi'nistenha tsi iohonsta:te - Our mother the earth

Audio icon ionkhinistenha_tai_iohonsta_te_.mp3

  • Ionkhihsotha Ahsonthenhnehkha Karahkwa - Grandmother, the nighttime moon

Audio icon ionkhhisotho_kon_ratiwe_ras_.mp3

  • Iotsistohkwaronion tsi tkaronhia:te- The stars in the sky

Audio icon iotsistohkwaronion_tai_tkaronhia_te_.mp3

  • Kahihshon:a - The fruits

Audio icon kahihshon_a.mp3

  • Բà:

Audio icon kahnawake.mp3

  • Kahnekaronnion - The waters

Audio icon kahnekaronnion_.mp3

  • Kaienthohsera/Tionhnhehkwen - Our sustenance (Kaienthóhsera, ó:ni’ ne Tionhnhéhkwen – :Աhste, Osahè:ta, tánon Onon’ónsera)

Audio icon kaienthohsera_tionhnhehkwen_.mp3

  • Kaieri Nikawere:ke - Four winds

Audio icon kaieri_nikawere_ke.mp3

  • Dz'á:첹 - People of the swamp
  • Աà:

Audio icon kanehsatake_.mp3

  • Kanien’keha:ka- People of the flint, Mohawk

Audio icon kanienkehaka.mp3

  • Katerihwaiénstha ni ní:'IOhni- I'm a student, too

Audio icon katerihwaiensta_ni_ni_i_ohni_.mp3

  • Katewienstonhatie -I am a student

Audio icon katewienstonhatie_.mp3

  • ԳٲDz’sDz: - The fish life

Audio icon kentsonshon_a_.mp3

  • Kontirio - Wild animals

Audio icon kontirio.mp3

  • Kwe - Hi

Audio icon kwe_.mp3

  • KweKwe - Hi there

Audio icon kwekwe_.mp3

  • á:ɱ - Thank you

Audio icon nia_wen_.mp3

  • á:ɱ ki' wáhi - Thanks a lot (thank you my good friend, it's dearer to the heart)

Audio icon nia_wen_ki_wahi_.mp3

  • Nia:wenkowa

Audio icon nia_wenkowa_.mp3

  • - Bye

Audio icon o_nen_.mp3

  • :Ա ki' wáhi - Goodbye (goodbye my good friend)

Audio icon o_nen_ki_wahi_.mp3

  • Ohenton Karihwatehkwen -Words before all else/thanksgiving address

Audio icon ohenton_karihwatehkwen_.mp3

  • Ohonte’shon:a tanon Ohtehra’shon:a - The plant life and the roots

Audio icon ohonteshon_a_canon_ohtehrashon_a_.mp3

  • Ohswé:ken

Audio icon ohswen_ken_2.mp3

  • Okwire'shon:a - The trunks and the trees

Audio icon okwireshon_a.mp3

  • ԱԾ’t’á:첹- People of the standing stone

Audio icon onenioteaka.mp3

  • Onkwehshon:a - The people

Audio icon onkwehshon_a_.mp3

  • ԴDzԳɲ’sDz: - The medicines

Audio icon ononhkwashon_a_.mp3

  • ԴDzԳٲ’ká’k- People of the hills

Audio icon onontakehaka.mp3

  • پ’t’oDz: - Bird life

Audio icon ostitenokon_a.mp3

  • ٲ‵DzԷɲ’sDz: - Insects

Audio icon otsinonwashon_a.mp3

  • Ronterihwaienstha Ni ne”e

Audio icon ronterihwaienstha_ni_nee_.mp3

  • She:kon - Hello

Audio icon she_kon_.mp3

  • Shonkawstsí:'a Tiohkehnékha Karáhkwa - Our elder brother the sun

Audio icon shonkawstsi_a_tiohkehnekha_karahkwa_.mp3

  • Shonkwaia’tison- The Creator

Audio icon shonkwaiatison_copy.mp3

  • dzپԴDzԳٴǷɲԱ'á:첹 - People of the big mountains
  • ձ󲹳پ첹ó:Dz -People of the hemp

Audio icon tehatihskaro_ros.mp3

  • վdzپà: -Montreal

Audio icon tiohtia_ke.mp3

  • Tyendinaga

Audio icon tyendinaga_.mp3

  • Wakateriwaiensta:na - I am going to school

Audio icon wakateriwaiensta_na_.mp3

  • ²’kɲԴDzԷɱá:ٴDz - Welcome

Audio icon watkwanonwera_ton_.mp3

  • áٲ

Audio icon whata_.mp3


The Sky Dome symbol in white against a purple background.

Indigenous Nations ofվdzپà:/ Montreal

TheKanien'kéha Nation are recognized as the stewards of the land known asվdzپà: or Montreal. The Haundenosaunee Confederacy, of which theKanien'kéha Nation is a part, and the Anishinaabeg peoples have strong historical ties to the area.

Visit , a map of վdzپà: tsi ionhwéntsare which was made by Karonhí:io Delaronde, a Kanien’kéha speaker from Kanièn:ke, and Jordan Engel, a map-maker from Ka’skonhtsherá:kon (Rochester), to view where Kanien'kéha communities are located around վdzپà:/ Montreal.

The Haudenosaunee

Learn more about the Haudenosaunee

  • The Canadian Encyclopedia has that describes Haudenosaunee (Iroquois): "The Haudenosaunee,or “people of thelonghouse,” commonly referred to as Iroquois or Six Nations, are members of a confederacy of Aboriginal nations known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy." The article provides a brief background and history of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

  • The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is comprised of sixFirst Nations, one of them being the Ծ’ká:첹 (Mohawk) nation whose territory includesվdzپà:, or Montreal. The other nations are theSeneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Tuscarora.

  • Բà:, the community which is located closest to McGill,is one of eight territories that make up the Ծ’ká:첹 (Mohawk) Nation.Kanesatake andAkwesasne are other nearby communities that are also part of theԾ’ká:첹 (Mohawk) Nation.

The Hiawatha Wampum Belt

  • Learn more about the Hiawatha Belton . The Hiawatha Belt "symbolizes the agreement between the 5 original Haudenosaunee nations and their promise to support each other in unity. The central symbol is a tree (representing the Onondaga Nation – where the Peacemaker planted the Tree of Peace and under which the leaders of the Five Nations buried their weapons). Four white squares from left to right represent the Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, and Mohawk tribes."

  • The Haudenosaunee Confederacy describes the importance of Wampum Belts, as well asthisfromThe Canadian Encyclopedia.

  • (Hint:Scroll down to see a photo of the Hiawatha Wampum Belt on the McGill campus.)

Learn about Բà:

  • Read more about the community of Բà:at .

  • Visit the Mohawk Council Բà: website for a.

  • See .

Learn about Աà:

  • Read more about the community of Աà:at .

  • See where Kanesatà:ke is located .

Learn about ɱáԱ

  • Read more about the community of ɱáԱat .

  • See where ɱáԱ is located .

The Anishinaabeg

Learn more about the Anishinaabeg

  • The Canadian Encyclopedia has that describes the Anishinaabeg: "Anishinaabeg (other variants include Anishinabe, Anicinape, Nishnaabe, Neshnabé and Anishinabek) refers to a group of culturally and linguistically related First Nations that live in both Canada and the United States, concentrated around the Great Lakes." The article provides a brief background and history of the Anishinaabeg language and culture.

  • For further reading, refer to about the Anishinabe Nation

  • Algonquin? Anishnaabeg?

    • Although in recent years the Algonquin have resumed using the name “Anishinaabeg” which they have called themselves since time immemorial, the term Algonquin was imposed on them for more than 400 years by Euro Canadians. Read more about the origin of the name Algonquin .

  • The Ojibwe, Chippewa, Odawa, Potawatomi, Algonquin, Saulteaux, Nipissing and Mississauga First Nations are Anishinaabeg.

  • Kitigan Zibi is one of the nearest Anishinaabeg communities to վdzپà:/Montreal.

Learn about Kitigan Zibi

  • Kitigan Zibi is one of the nearest Anishinaabeg communities to վdzپà:/Montreal. Learn more about Kitigan Zibi

  • See where Kitigan Zibi is located .

Land Maps by Territory

Visit Historical Resourcesforthe Indigenous history of վdzپà:/Montrealand historicalmaps of the landbefore, during, and after colonization.

A framed Hiawatha Wampum Belt flag sits in front of a garden at McGill.

Above: The HiawathaWampum Belt on McGill campus.


Terminology

Learn about appropriate terminology to refer to Indigenous peoples within the context of Canada, including the differences between First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and more. For more information, visit the University of British Colombia's , which some of these definitions borrow from.

"Indigenous"

  • "Indigenous is a term used to encompass a variety of Aboriginal groups. It is most frequently used in an international, transnational, or global context" (UBC).

"Aboriginal"

  • "The term 'Aboriginal'refers to the first inhabitants of Canada, and includes First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples" (UBC).

"First Nations"

  • "'First Nation'is a term used to describe Aboriginal peoples of Canada who are ethnically neither Métis nor Inuit. This term came into common usage in the 1970s and ‘80s and generally replaced the term 'Indian',although unlike 'Indian',the term 'First Nation'does not have a legal definition" (UBC).
  • There are more than 630 First Nations communities in what is now called Canada, each with its own history, traditions, and practices.

"Inuit"

  • Inuit in Canada come from Inuit Nunangat, or the Inuit homeland. Inuit Nunangat comprises four regions: Inuvialuit (Northwest Territories and Yukon),Nunavut, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (Labrador).Inuit means "the people" in the Inuit language of Inuktut. The singular form is Inuk, meaning "person."
  • "This term refers to specific groups of people generally living in the far north who are not considered 'Indians'under Canadian law" (UBC).

"éپ"

  • "The advent of the fur trade in the historic Northwest during the 18th century was accompanied by a growing number of mixed offspring of Indian women and European fur traders. As this population established distinct communities separate from those of Indians and Europeans and married among themselves, a new Indigenous people emerged – the Métis people – with their own unique culture, traditions, language (Michif), way of life, collective consciousness, and nationhood" ().
  • "Distinct Métis communities developed along the routes of the fur trade and across the Northwest within the Métis Nation Homeland. This Homeland includes the Prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta), as well as parts of Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the northern United States" ().

Is it okay to say "Indian"? Is it okay to say "Native"?

  • "The term 'Indian'refers to the legal identity of a First Nations person who is registered under the Indian Act. The term 'Indian'should be used only within its legal context when referring to a First Nations person with status under the Indian Act. Aside from this specific legal context, the term 'Indian'in Canada is considered outdated and may be considered offensive due to its complex and often idiosyncratic colonial use in governing identity."
  • "The term 'Native'is a general term that refers to a person or thing that has originated from a particular place. The term 'native'does not denote a specific Aboriginal ethnicity (such as First Nation, Métis, or Inuit). In Canada, the term 'Aboriginal'or 'Indigenous'is generally preferred to 'Native'. Some may feel that 'native'has a negative connotation and is outdated. This term can also be problematic in certain contexts, as some non-Aboriginal peoples born in a settler state may argue that they, too, are 'native.'"

VIDEO: "How to Talk About Indigenous Peoples"- Ossie Michelin

Inuk journalist Ossie Michelin has a friendly how-to guide about the correct terms to use when talking about Indigenous peoples.


Learning about Indigenous Cultures

Ontario Human Rights Commission

Government of Canada

The Ծ’ká:첹 Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center

  • - This Center was created to preserve and enrich the language and culture of the Ծ’ká:첹 (Mohawk) of Բà:. Their center is located in the Mohawk Territory of Բà: south of Montreal, Canada.

Learning About Indigenous Peoples

Take a Course

  • : A12-lesson online course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. The course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.

Reading Materials

  • : Created by Mikana, Concordia University’s Office of Community Engagement, and the Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK, the Toolbox provides "foundational knowledge on terminology, territories, and colonial history."
  • : A website from UBC which discusses key topics relating to the histories, politics, and cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
  • : Indigenous Peoples in Canada",by Zach Parrott, highlights demographics, history, a list of Indigenous peoples in Canada, andeducational guides.
  • : Chapter 7, entitled "The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada",provides a basic historical overview. This visually appealing guide offers information for all audiences.
  • :"Stolen Lives"is a program that walks students and teachers through an examination of the devastating legacy of Indian Residential Schools.

Historical Timelines

  • : This web page presents key events and developments in Indigenous history, from Time Immemorial to the present day. While no timeline can be exhaustive in its coverage, the Canadian Encyclopediaprovides a broad chronological overview.

Visit theHistorical ResourcesPage for more information.

Documentaries and Videos

  • - To celebrate National Indigenous History Month, here are some documentaries compiled by CBC to learn about the history of the first peoples of this land, and the activists fighting for their future.
  • - The Fifth Estate examines the horrific,decades-long abusewhich took place at St. Anne's Indian Residential School in Northern Ontario.
  • - Acclaimed Métis filmmaker Christine Welsh presents a compelling documentary about missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada.
  • - First Contact is a TV series that takes six Canadians on a 28-day journey intended to challenge misconceptions about Indigenous peoples and communities, and to shed a light on real Indigenous experiences.
  • -The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has a section of films dedicated to Indigenous peoples.
  • - The National Film Board has a section of films dedicated to Indigenous People in Canada, particularly in Quebec and Ontario.
  • - A National Film Board documentary channel.
  • - This documentary by Alanis Obomsawin looks athowԾ’ká:첹 (Mohawk) women, children and Elders fled their community of Kahnawake out of fear for their safetyduringthe height of tensions inOka, Quebecin 1990.

Podcasts

  • is a podcast hosted by Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Adrienne Keene (Cherokee Nation) exploring relationships.
  • ishosted by Trevor Phillips, Indigenous Graduate Student Success Coordinator, showcasingthe work of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, scholars, artists, and community members contributing to the vibrant Indigenous Intellectual Community.
  • is a podcast hosted by Anishinaabe academic Steven Vanloffeld and Mi’kmaq lawyerGlenn Wheeler.
  • is a three-part podcast series created by Historica Canada and hosted byShaneen Robinson-Desjarlais.
  • explores Indigenous music culture.
  • is a podcast that considers relationships between Indigenous Peoples and Black Peoples on Turtle Island.
  • is the CBC radio space for Indigenous community, culture, and conversation.

Webinars

  • : The National Indigenous Cultural Safety Learning Series is an ongoing series of webinars "focused on exploring anti-Indigenous racism, discrimination and cultural safety and identifying how each informs our systems, why they persist, and how we can address them. Our goal is to facilitate opportunities for networking, collaboration and shared learning by bringing together key stakeholders from across Canada and internationally to explore, discuss, and learn about Indigenous Cultural Safety." There are 16 webinars available on the Indigenous Cultural Safety Learning Series website, including:
    • withMaria Campbell, Banakonda Kennedy-Kish & Gwendolyn Point
    • with Dr. James Makokis and Dr. Karina Walters
    • with Dr. Verna St. Denis
    • with Senator Murray Sinclair and Shelagh Rogers

Indigenous Awareness Weeks

Indigenous Awareness Weeks offerstudents, staff and faculty the opportunity to learn about Indigenous issues and promote greater knowledge and understanding about Indigenous peoples in Canada. They take place in September of each year.

Learn More

  • They aimto raise awareness and initiate an exchange of ideas on First Nations, Métis and Inuit topics within the McGill community.
  • The weeks allowa space to privilege Indigenous voices and perspectives on campus. Since 2011, invited guests have included: academics, community members, elders and students. Topics that have been covered include health, identity, language revitalization, the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Indigenous legal traditions, Canadian policies, education, child welfare, and ways of knowing.
  • Past IAW event calendars can be viewed via the links below:

Before reaching out to Indigenous communities for guidance or research initiatives, McGill encourages students, faculty, and staffto learn about the land,colonialismin the past and present, and McGill's current and historical relationships with local communities.

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