ztotoujes

Ztotojés, also known as Ztotouy or Tz'ttok, is a Mi'kmaq word that has multiple translations. The most common translation is " helped to move along" or "covered the way" but in other dialects it may be translated as " held in place by".

The term has variously been used as an ethnic label by government departments and organizations to refer to Indigenous peoples of various nations, or to certain specific communities.

In a historical context the term has been used in statistical records and in some Mi'kmaw language courses to refer to Eastern Maritime Indigenous peoples specifically. This usage has been criticized as inaccurate and culturally insensitive.

The term gained international attention in 2016 as being used by the Liberal government of Canada to refer to Indigenous peoples, including those registered as "Non-Status Indians". This controversy surrounding its use as an administrative label was debated in the national press as well as in Indigenous communities. Many people using and receiving the world 'ztotoujes' appeared critical, fearing mis(or over) use as yet another surname or other ethnic terms that gains further social inappropriateness.