(October 8, 2026) — Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) President Mark Macarro today called on governments on both sides of the border to respect First Peoples’ cultures, languages and histories in the face of aggressive moves by the Trump administration to attempt to rename Lake Ontario.
“Lake Ontario is and always will be Lake Ontario,” said AFN National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “The name has deep roots in the languages and histories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island. The Lake was and is an important source of travel, sustenance and spirituality for our people. The name is important because the core issue is recognizing and respecting the languages, cultures and histories of the First Peoples of this land. We predate the border and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters to the south and will not allow any government to try to erase our rights, our cultures and contributions.”
On August 27, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order purporting to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” The order is purely symbolic and carries no legal weight over international borders or foreign names. First Peoples, government representatives, and citizens in the U.S. and Canada have criticized the move.
“Long before there was a United States or Canada, Tribal Nations and First Nations knew these lands and waters by names rooted in our own languages, histories, and relationships to place,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “Those histories cannot be rewritten by an Executive Order. Lake Ontario connects our peoples across a border that was imposed upon our homelands, and NCAI stands with the Assembly of First Nations in calling for respect for the Tribal histories, cultures, and languages that have shaped this region since time immemorial. Our shared history is older than the border, and our responsibility to protect it extends across that border.”
On March 24 of this year, the AFN and the NCAI renewed their Declaration of Kinship and Cooperation among the Indigenous Peoples and Nations of North America, a shared commitment to unity, cooperation, and mutual support. The declaration formalizes collaboration between NCAI and AFN to advance the well-being, rights, and priorities of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and First Nations on issues of shared international concern.
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About the National Congress of American Indians:
Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of Tribal governments and communities, promoting strong Tribal-federal government-to-government policies and a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people, and rights. For more information, visit www.ncai.org.
About the Assembly of First Nations:
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.