Indigenous slang and rez humour are deeply rooted in community life, storytelling, family culture, and shared experiences. Many phrases vary between Nations, provinces, generations, and communities. Some are playful, some are sarcastic, and many are built around humour, survival, and connection.

This guide focuses on light-hearted and commonly heard expressions across Indigenous communities in Canada.

Common First Nations & Rez Slang Terms

“Rez”

Short for “reservation” or reserve/community.

Example:

“I’m heading back to the rez this weekend.”

Often used casually within Indigenous communities.

“Rez Dog”

The legendary free-roaming community dog.

Example:

“That rez dog knows everybody.”

Usually said jokingly and affectionately.

“Skoden”

A slang version of:

“Let’s go then.”

Popularized online and through Indigenous meme culture.

Example:

“Skoden, we’re already late.”

“Stoodis”

A slang version of:

“Let’s do this.”

Commonly used jokingly before doing something difficult, chaotic, or exciting.

Example:

“Stoodis. Time for bingo.”

“Auntie”

Not always a literal aunt. Can refer to:

• family friends
• respected women
• elders
• community mothers

Example:

“Ask your auntie, she knows everything.”

“Uncle”

Similar to “auntie,” often used for respected men in the community.

“Indian Time”

A joking phrase referring to events starting later than scheduled.

Example:

“Powwow starts at 1… so probably 3.”

Usually used humorously within community settings.

“Kokum”

Cree and Ojibwe word for grandmother.

Example:

“Kokum makes the best bannock.”

A widely loved and respected term.

“Mushum”

Grandfather in Cree/Ojibwe communities.

“Bannock”

Traditional Indigenous bread prepared many different ways:

• baked
• fried
• campfire cooked

Example:

“Whose auntie made this bannock?”



“Frybread”

Another common term for fried bannock in many communities.

“Powwow Trail”

Traveling between powwows during the season.

Example:

“They’ve been on the powwow trail all summer.”



“NDN”

A stylized slang spelling of “Indian,” commonly used online by Indigenous creators and meme pages.

Example:

“Classic NDN humor.”

Mostly internet and meme culture slang.

“Rez Car”

A vehicle somehow surviving against all odds.

Example:

“That rez car has seen things.”



“Bush”

Can refer to:

• going camping
• hunting areas
• remote land
• traplines

Example:

“We’re heading to the bush this weekend.”



“Status”

Short for Indian Status under the Indian Act.

Example:

“Do you have status?”

Can relate to legal registration and benefits eligibility.

“Treaty”

Often refers to Treaty Status or treaty territory.

Example:

“What treaty are you from?”

“Land Back”

A modern Indigenous rights and sovereignty movement phrase.

Used politically and culturally.

“Snagging”

Flirting or trying to date someone.

Example:

“He’s been snagging all night at the social.”

Popular at dances, socials, and powwows.

“Social”

Community dance or gathering event.

Especially common in Manitoba and Saskatchewan Indigenous communities.

“Dry Meat”

Traditional dried meat/snack.

Often jokingly guarded very seriously by family members.

“Tea & Bannock”

The unofficial solution to most problems.

“Moccasin Telegraph”

A joking term for how fast gossip spreads in communities.

Example:

“The moccasin telegraph already knows.”



“Community Facebook FBI”

A joke about local community Facebook groups always knowing everything immediately.

“Northern Time”

A variation of rez time, especially in remote communities where weather and travel affect schedules.

“One More Tea”

Never actually one more tea.

Funny & Common Rez Sayings

• “You bringing plates home or what?”
• “That truck still running?”
• “Who made the bannock?”
• “You know whose cousin that is?”
• “We’re leaving in five minutes.”
  (Narrator: They did not leave in five minutes.)
• “Don’t feed the rez dogs.”
• “Everybody’s related somehow.”
• “Take food home before your auntie gets offended.”
• “That’s not gossip, that’s community updates.”
• “There’s always room for one more.”

Regional Differences in Indigenous Slang

Slang and expressions vary greatly across:

• Ontario
• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Atlantic Canada
• Northern territories

Language groups also influence slang heavily:

• Cree
• Ojibwe
• Oji-Cree
• Dene
• Mi’kmaq
• Mohawk
• Inuit dialects
• Algonquin languages

Some communities use more traditional language daily, while others mix English slang with Indigenous words.

Indigenous Humour & Storytelling

Humour has always been an important part of Indigenous culture:

• storytelling
• resilience
• teasing
• community bonding
• survival through difficult times

Many modern Indigenous comedians and creators use rez slang and Indigenous humour online to celebrate culture and everyday life.

Examples include:

• Ryan McMahon
• Candy Palmater
• Don Burnstick



“This guide is intended to celebrate Indigenous humour, community culture, and everyday expressions respectfully. Slang and meanings vary widely between Nations, communities, families, and regions across Canada.”