Indigenous Geographical Names

The Indigenous Geographical Names dataset presents an extract from the Canadian Geographical Names Data Base (CGNDB) of geographical names with roots in Indigenous cultures. These geographical names reflect heritage, language, personal names, and cultural practices. Terrain and water features, populated places and culturally relevant places are geographical feature types present in the dataset. The Geographical Names Board of Canada (GNBC) is working to increase awareness of existing Indigenous place names and help promote the revitalization of Indigenous cultures and languages. Many more Indigenous place names exist in Canada, and this dataset will be constantly evolving as additional Indigenous place names are officially recognized and identified. The Geographical Names Board of Canada does not warrant or guarantee that the information is accurate, complete or current at all times. For more information, to report data errors, or to suggest improvements, please contact the GNBC Secretariat at Natural Resources Canada with questions or for more information.

The CGNDB is the authoritative national database of Canada's geographical names. The purpose of the CGNDB is to store geographical names and their attributes that have been approved by the GNBC, the national coordinating body responsible for standards and policies on place names.

This dataset is extracted from the CGNDB on a weekly basis, and consists of current officially approved names, feature type, coordinates of the feature, decision date, source, Indigenous language of origin where known, and other attributes.