Indigenous Initiatives

We offer our gratitude to the lands on which the University of Guelph campuses (Guelph, Ridgetown and Guelph-Humber) are situated and the Indigenous ancestors who have inhabited these lands for centuries. We recognize that our campuses are located on the lands of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and the traditional lands of the Hodinöhsö:ni', Anishinaabeg and Huron Wendat. We offer our respect to the Mississaugas of the Credit, Six Nations of the Grand River, the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown and the diverse communities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples who reside on these lands. We also recognize that our educational and research enterprises occur on Indigenous lands across Turtle Island and Mother Earth and we endeavour to ensure that our activities honour and respect Indigenous peoples and their lands.

The phrase Indigenous peoples is preferentially used on campus with reference to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. This decision was made during the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy process following consultation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis students, staff and faculty at U of G and local community members. This change is effective now but will take time to implement across campus.

We recognize the fluidity of language and that certain terms are preferred or contested in different political, legal, scholarly and social contexts. We also acknowledge that the use of collective terms does not honour the distinct origins, languages and cultures of individuals and communities. It is important to be respectful of this diversity and, as a best practice, to refer to Indigenous people and nations with the term that most closely identifies with their ancestors and how they wish to be identified.

For more information, please review the Indigenous Terminology Guide.  Additional information for writing about Indigenous peoples can be found in the Inclusive Language section of the U of G Style Guide.