What’s in a name? Language itself is, in a way, a living, evolving thing. It provides a direct line to our ancestors, to those that came before us. Language is a living relic, connecting us to our shared history.
The Great Lakes are also living entities, changing with the times and the people that inhabit their shores. The Great Lakes region is filled with names that connect us to the people that have lived here for centuries and a land that has existed for millenia.
The names of many parks, rivers, and cities are unique to the Great Lakes, originating from languages spoken by local Indigenous peoples. To know these names is to connect to the Great Lakes.
Can you find any place names with Indigenous origins? Explore our map! If you click on a destination, you will also find information about the traditional territory and treaty. You can read more about why we acknowledge traditional territories and treaties.
Learn how the Great Lakes got their names in the first article of this series. Stay tuned for the next “Ideas” piece to learn more about Indigenous place names and their significance in the Great Lakes region.
*Due to differences in regional dialects, spellings of traditional names may vary.