Metagenomics is driving rapid discovery of novel microbial diversity including species that don’t yet have names. Investigators discovering and describing new lineages in biology typically get to name them. Microbial taxonomy can thus reflect the place a species is discovered,  phenotype, the name of a researcher, or other motivations. Naming rarely reflects that scientific ‘discovery’ depends on samples from traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples. Instead of relying on unexamined conventions of western science, naming microbes can respect and promote the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples. As affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, these rights derive from Indigenous political, economic and social structures, cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies, as well as rights to lands, territories and resources. This project will leverage naming as a tangible entry point for genomics training and capacity building in Pictou Landing First Nation (PLFN). Community members that do not have a background in microbiology genomics, from elementary school youth to Mi’kmaw elders, will be invited to (1) workshops to name new microbes from marine sediments around Nova Scotia, (2) gatherings to formulate hypotheses and plan Mi’kmaw-led environmental sampling, (3) sampling field trips to Mi’kmaw chosen locations, (4) wet lab university-based summer camps to sequence microbiome DNA in the Mi’kmaw chosen samples, and (5) interpret results and name new species from the Mi’kmaw chosen environments. This will be repeated over two consecutive years to maximize training and capacity building within PLFN and refine the training modules for future use. DNA sequencing will simultaneously provide benchmark microbiome data for future pollution remediation and land-use planning at sites prioritized by PLFN. Naming is a simple yet profound activity that provides exciting opportunities for Etuaptmumk (two-eyed seeing) whereby Mi’kmaw local and traditional knowledge, ways of doing, being and connecting will inform introducing new labels on the tree of life. In this way, genomics offers a valuable and promising mechanism for self-determination.