This map layer, included in MapMaker's collection, was created by Native Land Digital, a Canadian nonprofit organization that strives to map Indigenous lands.

Many Indigenous peoples do not view land, or land ownership, in the same way that non-Indigenous people do. As a result, this map does not look like a parcel map you would find at your local auditor’s office with clear boundaries that meet along a clear border. Additionally, this map accounts for many different time periods and lists groups together that may not have been contemporaries. This map updates weekly as new territories are added and existing ones are updated as new information is discovered.

This map attempts to show a picture of the historic territories of the people who lived there before the period of colonization, a time that for many Indigenous people brought hardships, suffering and genocide. Explore the area where you live now. Who else has lived there?

Disclaimer from Native Lands Digital: This map does not represent or intend to represent official or legal boundaries of any Indigenous nations. To learn about definitive boundaries, contact the nations in question.

Also, this map is not perfect - it is a work in progress with tons of contributions from the community. Please send your fixes to Native Land Digital if you find errors.

You are free to use this data layer for your own maps and applications, but we encourage you to add a similar disclaimer on your own resource.

Terms of Use

Creative Commons 0 Public Domain

Credits (Attribution)

Native Land Digital