List of traditional territories of the indigenous peoples of North America
This list of traditional territories of the original peoples of North America gives an overview of the names of the indigenous "countries" of North America. In this sense, "country" refers to the name of the land...the ground...the territory of a nation, rather than the name of the nation itself. This article is only about the name for the land of a nation.
For example, the traditional territory of the Ho-Chunk Nation is called Waaziija, meaning "the Grand Pinery". In English, the land of an indigenous nation was historically, and sometimes still is, referred to as a "country", such as " Winnebago country". Some Latinate forms exist in English such as "Iroquoia", "Huronia", and "Apacheria".
The distinction between nation and land is like the French people versus the land of France, the Māori people versus Aotearoa, or the Saami people versus Sápmi.
List of traditional territories
| Autonym for the traditional territory | Conventional or historic English monikers for the traditional territory, with various attested spellings | The nation affiliated with that territory | Further information | Wikipedia article? |
| ? The Aa'ku traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Acoma country, the Acoma homeland | The Aa'ku Nation | - | |
| ? The A'aninin traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Gros Ventre country, the Gros Ventre country, the Gros Ventre homeland | The A'aninin Nation See also Niitsitpiis-stahkoii, the traditional territory of the wider Blackfoot Confederacy. | - | |
| ? The Andastoerrhonon traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Susquehannock country, the Susquehannock homeland, the Andaste country, Andaste, the Conestoga country, the Minquas country, the Minquas' Land, the Minquas land | The Andastoerrhonon Nation In the Huron and French languages of the Jesuit mission era: Gandastogue, Andastoé, Andastogué. | - | |
| Anishinaabewaki, Anishinaabe Ahiki, Anishinaabe-aki, Anishinaabeg Akiing | Anishinaabe Country, Anishinaabe country, the Anishinaabe Aki | The Anishinaabe People are a supra-national identity which encompasses the three nations of the Three Fires Confederacy: the Ojibwe Nation, the Odawa Nation, and the Potawatomi Nation, plus the culturally related Algonquin Nation, Mississauga Nation, and Nipissing Nation. Because the name "Anishinaabe" also serves as a synonym for "Ojibwe" or "Odawa" and also means "Indian", the various forms of "Anishinaabe Aki" can also mean "Ojibwe country", "Odawa country", and also "Indian Country" in general. French: l'Anishinabe Aki. "The Nishnawbe Aski territory" refers to the land of the amalgamated national identity which was formed in 1983 by the OjiCree-, Ojibway-, Cree-, and Algonquin-speaking bands which were party to the two treaties which cover Northern Ontario. See also the entries for Ojibwewaki, Bodéwadmiakiwen, and Omàmiwininiwak traditional territory. | - | |
| Apsáalooke Issawua, Absarog-Issawua | Crow country, the Crow country, the Land of the Crow Indians | The Apsáalooke Nation | - | |
| Atna Nenn' | Ahtna Country, the Ahtna country | The Ahtna Nation The traditional territory of the Upper Ahtna people is called Tatl'ahwt'aenn Nenn. | - | |
| ? The Attawandaron traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Neutral country, the country of the Neutrals, the Neutrals' territory | The Attawandaron Nation The Kahkwa nation was either one of the Erie or Neutral nations, or the name in the Seneca language for the Neutral and Erie nations as a whole. In the Huron language, the Kahkwa traditional territory is called Atrakwae. In English, it has been referred to as "Kahkwa territory". | - | |
| Báxoje Máyan | Ioway country, the Iowa country | The Báxoje Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Pahkutawiru "among the Ioway, in Ioway country." | - | |
| Bodéwadmiakiwen, Bodewadmi kik | the Potawatomi country, Potawatomi land | The Bodéwadmi Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Raawaruhkisiru. See also Anishinaabewaki. | - | |
| Chahta Yakni | Choctaw country, the Choctaw country | The Chahta Nation In Choctaw legend, "Chahta" is the name of the first man to come out of the earth. | - | |
| Chicora | the land of Chicora | The Chicora Nation Spanish: tierra de Chicora. | - | |
| Chikashsha Yakni, Chikasha yakni | Chickasaw Country, the Chickasaw country | The Chikashsha Nation In Chickasaw legend, "Chicksa" is the name of the second man to come out of the earth. | - | |
| Denaʼina Ełnena | Dena'ina territory; the Dena'ina homeland | Dena'ina people | - | |
| Denendeh | the Dene country | The Dene name has two primary meanings:
See also Tłı̨chǫ Ndè. | - | |
| Diné Bikéyah, Naabeehó Bikéyah, Dinétah | Navajoland, the Navajo country | The Diné Nation In contrast to Diné Bikéyah, the name Dinétah can refer specifically to the original homeland, in contrast to the wider territory which resulted from the Navajos' westerly expansion in historic times. The name Naabeehó Bináhásdzo refers to the Navajo reservation jurisdiction and its political government. | - | |
| Dule Nega, Dulenega, Tulenega, Guna Yala, Kuna Yala | the Kuna homeland, the Kuna country, Kuna country, the Dule homeland | The Dule Nation Besides being a name of entire traditional territory, Guna Yala is also specifically the name of the Panamanian political administrative comarca where the Kuna are based. That political division was formerly known as Comarca Kuna Yala, the Province of San Blas, and the Comarca Tulenega. | - | |
| Dusgaowehonoga, Dus-gaˊ-o-weh-o-noˊ-ga | Tuscarora country, the Tuscarora country | The Ska-Ruh-Reh Nation See also Haudenosauneega. | - | |
| Gawi Wachi | the Tarahumara country, Tarahumara country, the Rarámuri country, Rarámuri country, | The Rarámuri Nation | - | |
| Gweugwehonoga, Gwe-uˊ-gweh-o-noˊ-ga | Cayuga Country, Cayuga country, the Cayuga country | The Guyohkohnyoh Nation See also Haudenosauneega. | - | |
| Haudenosauneega, Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga, Aquanishuonigy | Iroquoia, the Iroquois Country, the Country of the Confederate Indians, the Country of the Five Nations, the Country of the Six Nations. | The Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The confederated identity encompasses the Mohawk Nation, Oneida Nation, Cayuga Nation, Seneca Nation, and Onondaga Nation. Other nations, such as the Tuscarora Nation, were adopted by the Haudenosaunee in historic times. French: Pays des Iroquois. Haudenosauneega or Aquanishuonigy is traditionally composed of five "countries": 1) "Aquanishuonigy proper" Ohi-yo Tiiuchsochruntie Couchsachrage Skaniadarade. See also Kanién:ke, Onayotekaonoga, Gweugwehonoga, Nundawaonoga, Onundagaonoga, and Dusgaowehonoga. | - | |
| Hiakim | the Yaqui country, the Yaqui homeland, Yaqui lands, Yaqui land, the Yaqui Homelands | The Yoeme Nation | - | |
| ? The Hinono'eino traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Arapaho country, the Arapaho country, the Arapaho homeland, Arapahoe country, the Arapahoe homeland | The Hinono'eino Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Sariˀitihkawiru. | - | |
| Hopitutskwa, Hopi Tutskwa | Hopiland, Hopi Land, Hopi lands, the Hopi Tutskwa, the Hopi country, Hopi country | The Hopi Nation | - | |
| Inokinki, Inokinghi | the Illinois Country, the Illinois country, the country of the Inoca, the Inoca homeland | The Inoca Confederacy traditionally includes these five principal nations: Cahokia Nation, Kaskaskia Nation, Michigamea Nation, Peoria Nation, and Tamaroa Nation. There were several other, more obscure member nations in the early historic period. French: Pays des Illinois. The original meaning of the autonym Inoca, Inoka is presently unknown. | - | |
| Inuit Nunaat | the Inuit homeland, the Inuit country, the Eskimo country | The Inuit Nation "We Eskimo are an international community sharing common language, culture, and a common land along the Arctic coast of Siberia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland. Although not a nation-state, as a people, we do constitute a nation." —Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska Inuit Nunaat is used by the international Inuit Circumpolar Council; for example in the April 2009 "Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Sovereignty in the Arctic." Two months later, in June 2009, the Canadian-sponsored Inuit organization changed the name of the specifically Canadian Inuit regions from Inuit Nunaat to Inuit Nunangat. The four Canadian Inuit regions are the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut. There is also NunatuKavut, the traditional territory of the NunatuKavummuit of southern Labrador. There are seven Alaskan Native Corporations which are predominantly Inuit in composition: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, NANA Regional Corporation, Bering Straits Native Corporation, Calista Corporation, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Koniag, Inc., and Chugach Alaska Corporation. The existing Inuit-affiliated political divisions and regional corporations only partially reflect the traditional cultural and linguistic diversity of the Inuitic peoples. For example, the boundaries of the Danish political entity Kalaallit Nunaat are bigger than the traditional territory of the Kalaallit proper. There are two other Inuitic peoples in Greenland: the Tunumiit, who live in Tunu and the Inughuit of North Greenland. | - | |
| Jiwére Máyan, Wadodana Máyan | Otoe country, the Otoe country, the country of the Otoe Indians | The Jíwere Nation | - | |
| ? The Ka'igwu traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Kiowa country, the Kiowa country, the Kiowa homeland | The Ka'igwu Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Kaˀiwaru. | - | |
| Kanién:ke, Kanienkeh, Kanyę̂·ke, Ganeagaonoga, Gä-neă-ga-o-noˊ-ga | Mohawk country, the Mohawk country, Mohawk territory, the Mohawk homeland, the Mohawk homelands, the Mohawk Territory | The Kanienʼkehá꞉ka Nation In the Huron and French languages of the Jesuit mission era: Annien̈ę, Agné, Agne, Agnée, Agnié, Agniée, Agniés, Agniez In the Maliseet language: Meqewihkuk. See also Haudenosauneega. | - | |
| ? The Kanza traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Kaw Country, Kaw country, the Kaw country, Kansa country, the Kansa country, the Kaw homeland | The Kanza Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Arahuuru. | - | |
| Karúk Veezívzaaneen | Karuk Country, Karuk country, Karuk territory | The Karuk Nation | - | |
| Ktunaxa ʔamakʔis | Ktunaxa territory | Ktunaxa people | - | |
| Kulhulmcilh | Nuxalk country, Bella Coola country, the Bella Coola country | The Nuxálk Nation | - | |
| Lakhota Makhoche | Lakota Country, the Lakota Country, the Lakota country, the Lakota homeland, the Teton country, the Teton Sioux homeland | The Lakhota Nation The Lakota nation is one of seven nations of the Oceti Šakowiŋ, the Seven Fires Council of the Great Sioux Nation. | - | |
| Lënapehòkink, Lenapehoking, Lenape Hoking, Scheyischbi | Delaware Indian country, the Delaware Indian country, Lenape country, the Lenape country | The Lenape Nation Lenapehoking is reportedly a modern coining which could conceivably be used for any land which has been affiliated with the Lenape, such as the Ohio treaty lands and tribal jurisdiction in Oklahoma, while Scheyischbi refers to the original homeland on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard. | - | |
| Lingít Aaní, Lingit Aani | Tlingit country, the Tlingit country, the Tlingit Country, Traditional Tlingit Country, the Tlingit homeland | The Lingít Nation | - | |
| Mánu: Yį Įsuwą | Catawba Country, the Catawba country, the Catawba homeland | The Iswa Nation | - | |
| Massa-adchu-es-et | Massachussett country | The Massa-adchu-es-et Nation In the Abenaki language: Msajosek. The English colony, later U.S. state, was named after the traditional territory and its people. The traditional territory of the Agawam band of Massachusset is named Wonnesquamsauke ; the name was shortened in English to "Agawam", "Squam", and "Annisquam". | - | |
| Mayach | the Maya Homeland, the Mayan homeland | The Uinicob Nation | - | |
| Mēxihco | the Mexica homeland, the land of the Mexica, the land of the Mexica Indians | The Mēxihcah Nation The nation-state of Mexico is named after the traditional territory of the Mēxihcah people. | - | |
| Mi'kma'ki, Migmagi | Mi'kmaq country, the Mi'kmaq homeland, Micmac country, the Micmac country, the Micmac homeland | The Mi'kmaw Nation In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language: Mihkomahkik. See also Wabanahkik. | - | |
| Môhikaniks, Monheganick | Mohegan country, the Mohegan country, the Mohegan Homeland, the Mohegan homeland | The Mohegan Nation | - | |
| Myaamionki | the Myaamiaki homeland, Miami country, the Miami country, the Miami Country, Miami Indian country, the Miami Indian country, the Miami homeland, homeland of the Miami Confederacy | The Myaamiaki Nation and Confederacy. The Miami Confederacy traditionally includes the Miami Nation proper, the Eel River Nation, the Piankeshaw Nation, and the Wea Nation. See also Waayaahtanonki. | - | |
| Nanticoke Ahkee, Nantaquak Ahkee, Nentego Ahkee, Nanticoke Pamtuckquah | Nanticoke country, the Nanticoke country, Nanticoke territory, the Nanticoke homeland | The Nentego Nation Nanticoke Pamtuckquah could refer to the original homeland along the Nanticoke River, while Nanticoke Ahkee would refer to post-exodus lands as well. | - | |
| Na:tinixw | Hupa country, the Hupa country, the Hupa homeland, Hoopa country the Hoopa country | The Hupa Nation | - | |
| Nayantaquit, Nayantakick, Nianticut, Nehantick, Naïantukq-ut, Naantucke, Naihantick Niantic, Nehântick, | Niantic country, the Niantic country, the Niantic territory | The Nehântick Nation | - | |
| N'DahAhKiNaNa | the Mohican country, the Mohican homeland | The Muh-he-ka-neew Nation In the Abenaki language: Mahiganek. | - | |
| Ndakinna, N'dakina | Abenaki country, the Abenaki country, the Abenaki homeland | The Alnôbak Nation In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language: Aponahkik. The traditional territory of the historic Wawenoc band, "the Wawenoc country", is called Mawooshen, "the Land of Mawooshen", Mavooshen, Moasham, and Mawashen, meaning "Berry Place." See also Wôbanakik. | - | |
| Nēhiýānāhk, Nēhiýaw-askiy | traditional Cree territory, the Cree country | The Nēhiyaw Nation The national name Nēhiyaw is from the Plains Cree, but serves as a pan-Cree name. So Nēhiýānāhk serves as a default name for Cree country as a whole, in a similar way that Anishinaabewaki is based on an Ojibwe spelling, but serves as common name for the entire supra-national Aninishinaabe traditional territory. The traditional territory of the East Crees is called Eeyou Istchee and Iynu Asci. Eeyou or Iyyu is the spelling in northern East Cree, while Iynu in southern East Cree. The traditional territory of the Plains Cree in particular is Paskwāwiýinīnāhk. | - | |
| Newe Segobia | Western Shoshone country, the Western Shoshone homeland, Newe Country, the Newe Country | The Newe People "Newe country" and "the Newe country" has also been applied in English to the traditional territory of any and all of the Newe peoples. | - | |
| Niitsitpiis-stahkoii, Nitawahsin-nanni | Blackfoot country, the Blackfoot country, Blackfeet Country, the Blackfoot homeland | The Niitsitapi Confederacy traditionally includes the Káínaa Nation, Piikani Nation, Siksika Nation, Tsu T’ina Nation, and the Haaninin Nation. See also the entry for Hinono'eino traditional territory. | - | |
| Nionwentsïo, Wendake | Huronia, the Huron country, the Wyandot country, Wyandotte country, the Wyandotte country, the Wendat country, the Huron-Wendat country, Old Huronia | The Wendat Nation French: la Huronie, le pays des Hurons, Contrée des Hurons. In the Abenaki language: Ksitegwiiak. Unlike the Huron-Wendat in Quebec, the three Wendat groups in the U.S. trace their origin to the Tionontati, Wenro, and Neutral nations, and to only one of the original Huron nations, rather to the Huron Confederacy as a whole. | - | |
| Nippenit, Nipnet, Neepnet, Neipnett Nipamaug, Nipmuck, Nipmug | Nipmuc Country, Nipmuc country, the Nipmuck Country, the Nipmuck country, the Nipmuc country the Nipmuc homeland | The Nipamaug Nation The traditional territory of the Wabaquasset band of Nipmuc is named Wabaquasset, Wabaquassuck. | - | |
| Nitaskinan | Atikamekw country, traditional homeland of the Tête-de-Boule Indians | The Atikamekw Nation A historic French term is "pays des Têtes-de-Boules." | - | |
| Nitassinan, Ntesinan | Innu country, the Innu country, Montagnais country, the Montagnais country, the Innu homeland | The Innu Nation An early French name: "le pays des Montagnais". Nitassinan refers to Innu territory as a whole. Innu Assi refers to those lands within Nitassinan whose title is held by the Innu. In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language: Muhtaniyewihkuk. | - | |
| No-wa-mu | Jemez country, the Jemez country, the Jemez homeland, the Jemez World | The Walatowa Nation | - | |
| Nʉmʉnʉʉ Sookobitʉ | Comanche country, the Comanche country, the Comanche homeland, the Comancheria, Comancheria | The Nʉmʉnʉʉ Nation Spanish: Comanchería, la Comanchería. In the Skiri Pawnee language: Raarihtaaru. | - | |
| Nundawaonoga, Nun-daˊ-wä-o-noˊ-ga | Seneca country, the Seneca country | The Onondowahgah Nation See also Haudenosauneega. | - | |
| Ñút^achi Máyan | the Missouria homeland, the Missouria country | The Ñút^achi Nation | - | |
| Nutshimiu-aschiiy, Nuchimiiyu-chhiiy | Naskapi country, the Naskapi country | The Iyuw Nation The Innu consider the Naskapi to be a component band of their nation, yet the Naskapi generally conceive of themselves to be a distinct nation from the Montagnais, with their own language. | - | |
| ? The Ogáxpa traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Quapaw country, the Quapaw country, the Quapaw homeland | The Ogáxpa Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Uukaahpaawiru. | - | |
| Ojibwewaki | the Chippewa country, the Ojibway country, Ojibwe country, Ojibwe Country, the Ojibwa country | The Ojibwe Nation See also Anishinaabewaki. | - | |
| ? The Olekwo'l traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Yurok country, Yurok country | The Olekwo'l Nation In the Karuk language: Yurúk Veezívzaaneen. | - | |
| Omaeqnomenew-ahkew | Menominee country, the Menominee country, the Menominee homeland | The Kiash Matchitiwuk Nation | - | |
| ? The Omàmiwininiwak traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Algonquin country, the Algonquin homeland | The Omàmiwininiwak Nation In the Abenaki language: Os8gonek. See also Anishinaabewaki. | - | |
| Onayotekaonoga, O-naˊ-yote-kä-o-noˊ-ga Onyota’a:ka’, Onʌyoteʼa·ka·' | Oneida country, the Oneida country, the Country of the Oneidas, the Oneida Territory, the Oneida homeland | The Onayotekaono Nation See also Haudenosauneega. | - | |
| Onundagaonoga, O-nunˊdä-ga-o-noˊ-ga | Onondaga Country, Onondaga country, the Onondaga country, the original country of Onondaga | The Onundagaono Nation See also Haudenosauneega. | - | |
| O'odham Jeweḍ | O'odham country, Papago and Pima country | The O'odham Nation Despite the outsiders' designations of "Pima" and "Papago", the trend among the O'odham people is to consider themselves to be bands of the same cultural nation: "The division of O'odham lands has resulted in an artificial division of O'odham society. O'odham bands are now broken up into 4 federally recognized tribes: the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Gila River Indian Community, the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Salt River Indian community." In contrast to the entire traditional territory, O'odham ha-jeweḍga refers to the political Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. Tohono is the O'odham name for the Tohono O'odham portion of O'odham Jeweḍ. The Spanish name for this portion is Papaguería, which has also been used in English. The name "Tohono country", "the tohono jewed", "Papago country", "the Papago country", and "the Papago homeland" are also attested. For the Akimel O'odham portion of the traditional territory, the names "Pima country", "the Pima country", and "the Pima homeland" are attested. | - | |
| Paariru | Pawnee country, the Pawnee country, the traditional Pawnee homeland | The Paari Nation Of the Pawnee band territories, the Skiri country is named Ckiiriru and the Chawi country is named Cawiiriru. | - | |
| Panaôbskaiiak | the Penobscot country, the Penobscot homeland | The Panawahpskek Nation In the Eastern Abenaki spelling : Pana8bskaiiak. In Western Abenaki spelling: Panȣbskaik, Panaȣbskaiiak. In the Passamaquoddy-Maliseet language: Panuwapskek. | - | |
| ? The Paⁿka traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Ponca country, the Ponca country, the Ponca homeland | The Paⁿka Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Riihitawiru. | - | |
| Pequatit | Pequod, Pequot country, the Pequot country, the old Pequot homeland, the Pequt countrey | The Pequttôog Nation The traditional territory of the Wunnashowatuckoog band of Pequot is Wunnashowatuckqut or Showatuckqut. | - | |
| Peskotomuhkatik, peskotomuhkatihkuk | Passamaquoddy country, Passamaquoddy territory the Traditional Ancestral Homeland Territory of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, traditional Passamaquoddy territory, Passamaquoddy Territory, the Passamaquoddy Territory, Passamaquoddy Ancestral Territory, Passamaquoddy Homeland Territory | The Peskotomuhkati Nation See also Waponahkik. | - | |
| Pokanoket | Wampanoag Country, Wampanoag country, the Wampanoag Homeland, the Wampanoag homeland, Wampanoag territory, the Wampanoag territory | The Wôpanâak Nation | - | |
| ? The Sahnish traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Arikara country, the Arikara country, the Sahnish homeland | The Sahnish Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Astarahiru. | - | |
| S’atsoyaha, S’atsole yudjiha | Yuchi country, the Yuchi country, Euchee country, the Yuchi homeland, the Uchee country, | The Tsoyaha Nation | - | |
| Shawandasse Tula | Shawnee country, the Shawnee country, the Shawnee homeland | The Shaawanwaki Nation | - | |
| Shiwinnaqin | Zuniland, Zuni Country, Zuni's aboriginal territories, the A'shiwi country | The A:shiwi Nation | - | |
| Solh Temexw | Stó:lō traditional territory, Sto:lo country, the Sto:lo country, Stolo country | - | ||
| Sq'ʷayáiɬaqtmš | Chehalis Indian Country, the Chehalis country | The Q'ʷay'áy'iɬq' Nation | - | |
| ? The Téenek traditional territory—autonym unknown. | The Huasteca, Wasteka, the La Huasteca, the Huastec homeland | The Téenek Nation In the Nahuatl language: Cuextlan, Kuextlan. In Spanish: la Huasteca. | - | |
| Thâkînâwe, Sâkînâwe | the Sac country, the Sauk country, the Sauk homeland | The Othâkîwaki Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Saakiiwaru. | - | |
| ? The Tickanwa•tic traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Tonkawa country, the Tonkawa country | The Tickanwa•tic Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Tarikawiru. | - | |
| Tin-ta-mayuhk, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh, Sko-mish-oath | the Squamish Country, the Squamish country, Squamish territory | The Skwxwú7mesh Nation The Skwxwú7mesh interviewee who shared the name Tin-ta-mayuhk also says: "Musqueams have a name too, same word, but pronounced differently; people up Lillooet have different name;" "all mean the same, 'my country.'" | - | |
| Tłı̨chǫ Ndè, Tlicho Nde | the Dogrib country | The Tłı̨chǫ Nation See also Denendeh. | - | |
| Továngar | Tongva country, the Tongva homeland, Tongva-Gabrielino country, Gabrielino country, the Gabrielino country, the Gabrieleno homeland | The Tongva Nation | - | |
| Tsalagihi Hawiniditlv Gesvi, Tsalaguwetiyi | Cherokee Country, Cherokee country, the Cherokee country, the Cherokee homeland | The Aniyvwiya Nation | - | |
| Tsenacommacah, Tsenacomoco, Tenakomakah, Attanoughkomouck, Attan-Akamik | the Powhatan country, Powhatan country, the Powhatan homeland, Powhatan's territory | The PoHaTan Confederacy Tsenacommacah is also glossed as "Virginia". The name was perceived by the early English settlers to be the native equivalent for what they called "Virginia". Tsenacommacah appears to be cognate with Ojibwe danakamigad "be an activity, be an event, happen". Arahatecoh is the traditional territory of the Arrohattoc nation within the Powhatan confederacy. | - | |
| Tséstho'e, Zesthoe | Cheyenne country, the Cheyenne country, the Cheyenne homeland | The Tsitsistas and So'taeo'o Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Sahiiru. | - | |
| Tupippuh Nummu | the Timbisha Homeland, Timbisha country, the Panamint country | The Timbisha Nation | - | |
| ? The Tutunucu traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Totonac country, the Totonac country, the Totonac homeland, | The Tutunucu Nation In the Nahuatl language: Totonacapan. | - | |
| Waayaahtanonki | the Wea country, the Wea lands | The Waayaahtanwa Nation See also Myaamionki. | - | |
| Wabanahkik, Waponahkik, Wôbanakik. These all mean "Land of Dawn, Land of the First Light". | the Dawnland, Wabanaki country, the Wabanaki country, Wabanaki Country, the land of the Wabanaki | The Wabanaki Confederacy includes the Micmac Nation, Maliseet Nation, Passamaquoddy Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Abenaki Nation. The name for the Dawnland in other Algonkic languages: Wàbanakìng, Waabanakiing, Waabnakiing, Wabnekig. | - | |
| ? The Wah-Zha-Zhi traditional territory—autonym unknown. | Osage country, the Osage country, the great Osage homeland, the Osage homelands, the Osage ancestral territory | The Wah-Zha-Zhi Nation In the Skiri Pawnee language: Pasaasiru. | - | |
| Washeshu Itdeh, Wa She Shu E Deh | Wašiw lands, Washoe country, the Washoe country | The Wašiw Nation | - | |
| Wazija Haci, Wazija, Wazidja, Waazija | the Wazija, the Wazidja, the Hočąk Wazija, the land of the Hočągara, Ho-Chunk country, Winnebago country, the Winnebago country, the Winnebago homeland | The Ho-Chunk Nation An early French name: pays des Puants. | - | |
| Wintʰu· Po·m | Wintu country | The Wintu Nation There are traditionally nine band territories, such as wenem memen bos, and nomte pom or Nom ti pom. | - | |
| Wolastokuk | Maliseet country, the Malecite country | The Wolastoqiyik Nation See also Waponahkik. | - | |
| X̱aaydag̱a Gwaay.yaay, Xhaaidlagha Gwaayaai, Xaadala Gwayee, X̱aayda gwaay, Haida Gwaii | Haida country, the Haida homeland | The X̱aadas Nation | - | |
| Yagaocanahagary | Piscataway Country | The Piscataway Nation | - | |
| ? The Yokot'anob traditional territory—autonym unknown. | the Chontalpa, the Chontal homeland | The Yokot'anob Nation In the Nahuatl language: Chontalpa. In Spanish: la Chontalpa. "Chontalpa" remains the name of a Mexican economic planning region coterminous with four political municipalities. | - | |
Criteria for inclusion
For the purpose of this list, "nation" refers to the historic, whole national identities, rather than to the fragmented "reservation nations" or "bands". The whole nations are what John Beaucage, Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, refers to as "true nations" in contrast with the fragmented "First Nations":Or what the Government of Quebec calls "the 11 aboriginal nations of Québec" in contrast with their component "55 aboriginal communities".
And so the criteria for inclusion is not the same as what are named "Indian tribes" by the U.S. Federal Register and the National Congress of American Indians, or what are called "First Nations" by the Canadian government and Assembly of First Nations. It would be interesting to compile the names for the "band territories" of the 633 fragmented First Nations of the AFN, or the names of the "reservation territories" of the 632 fragmented Indian Nations of the NCAI, but that is beyond the scope of this article, except as side notes in the "further information" column.
So this list does not include the names for reservations or reserves, but only of the entire national homeland. For example, this list wouldn't give the Cherokee name for the Qualla Boundary reservation, but only the name for "the Cherokee country" as a whole. Ideally a single name could conceivably encompass not only the Contact-era ancestral territory, but also any area which at some time or another was conceived to be part of the national domain, such as post-Removal lands.
The names do not have to be from olden days. The names could be recently coined and still be included in this list.
Compiling a list such as this can be a difficult and controversial process, as it requires some discernment as to what are the "whole nations" — the "true nations" in Beaucage's words.