Some people call the USA "Turtle Island" because of Indigenous North American creation stories, not because it's an official historical name for the United States.
Here's the clear explanation.
Origin of the term
"Turtle Island" comes from the creation stories of several Native American nations, especially among Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), Anishinaabe, Lenape, and some Algonquian-speaking peoples. In these stories, the world (or the land where people live) was formed on the back of a great turtle after a flood, when earth was placed on the turtle's shell and grew into land.
So "Turtle Island" refers to the continent, not the modern political nation-state.
Why some people use it today
In modern usage, calling the U.S. (or North America) "Turtle Island" is often:
-
A way to acknowledge Indigenous presence and heritage
-
A symbolic rejection of colonial names and borders
-
Used in activism, academia, or cultural contexts, especially when discussing land rights or environmental stewardship
It is not a historical name used by all tribes, and not all Native Americans use or accept the term. It comes from specific traditions, not a single unified Indigenous worldview.
Why it's controversial or confusing
-
It's sometimes presented as if all Native peoples used this name, which is not true
-
It's occasionally used politically, to challenge the legitimacy of the U.S. as a nation
-
Some people mistakenly think it's an "ancient name for America," which oversimplifies many distinct cultures
Bottom line
"Turtle Island" is a spiritual and cultural concept from certain Indigenous traditions that has been repurposed in modern discourse. It's symbolic, not geographic, legal, or historical in the way "United States of America" is.
"For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." — James 1:20
A group would call itself "Turtle Island Liberation Front" to signal ideology, not geography. The name is chosen to frame its actions as morally justified and historically inevitable, even if the actions themselves are violent or criminal. Here's why that label is attractive to extremist groups, explained plainly.
First, "Turtle Island" reframes the land. It invokes certain Indigenous creation stories to portray North America as a pre-colonial, sacred place. Using that term lets the group claim the U.S. is illegitimate by definition, turning modern society into an "occupation" rather than a nation.
Second, "Liberation Front" claims moral authority. Groups adopt that phrase to cast violence as resistance rather than aggression. It borrows credibility from past movements that fought real oppression, even when the modern group's targets are civilians or infrastructure.
Third, the name erases individual responsibility. By grounding their cause in mythic history and collective grievance, members feel less personally accountable. Harm becomes "historical correction" instead of wrongdoing.
Fourth, it's recruitment language. The phrase appeals to people drawn to anti-colonial, anti-capitalist, or eco-radical ideas, especially those who already distrust institutions. It sounds righteous, academic, and ancestral rather than criminal.
Fifth, it confuses outsiders. Many hear "Turtle Island" and assume cultural advocacy or environmental activism. That ambiguity can delay scrutiny and soften public perception at first glance.
Finally, it provides cover for absolutism. When a cause is framed as ancient, sacred, and non-negotiable, compromise becomes betrayal. That mindset is common across extremist movements of many ideologies, not just this one.
Bottom line: the name is a narrative weapon. It wraps modern extremism in spiritual language, borrowed history, and moral certainty to justify actions that would otherwise be rejected.
Here's a clear, factual summary of the group that was arrested for allegedly planning a terror attack in the Los Angeles area — strictly based on verified reports:
What authorities say happened
Federal law enforcement officials announced on December 15, 2025, that they foiled an alleged terror plot by an extremist group planning bomb attacks in Southern California on New Year's Eve. Four people were arrested in the Mojave Desert while allegedly assembling explosive devices and preparing for coordinated bombings against multiple targets. CBS News+1
The group involved
Officials identified the suspects as members of a group described in charging documents as the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF). The U.S. Department of Justice characterized TILF as a far-left, pro-Palestinian, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group. CBS News+1
Alleged plot details
According to prosecutors and the FBI:
-
The group had allegedly planned to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in backpacks and detonate them simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at multiple locations, including logistics-type companies in the Los Angeles area. ABC News
-
The plan, described in a handwritten document titled "Operation Midnight Sun," outlined steps for the attack and how the devices would be concealed and detonated. Reuters
-
Investigators allege the group planned future attacks, including targeting ICE agents and vehicles after the New Year's plot. ABC News
Who was arrested
The four suspects charged are:
They were charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device and appeared in federal court in Los Angeles. ABC News+1
How authorities prevented it
The FBI reported that surveillance and monitoring intercepted the plot before any bombs were deployed, and arrests were made while the suspects were allegedly preparing devices in a remote area. ABC News
Summary
In mid-December 2025, federal and local law enforcement disrupted what they describe as a planned New Year's Eve bombing attack in Southern California. The suspects were said to be part of a radical extremist group calling itself the Turtle Island Liberation Front, and they were taken into custody before any attack could occur
Here's what official sources say about the specific places the alleged Turtle Island Liberation Front was planning to attack in the Los Angeles area:
Federal prosecutors say the plot involved multiple bomb attacks at several locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties — including plans to plant explosive devices at five different sites simultaneously on New Year's Eve. Reuters+1
Known or Described Target Types
-
The group allegedly planned to detonate bombs at two "logistics centers" — described by authorities as similar to Amazon-type facilities that handle distribution or shipping. Reuters
-
They also discussed attacks on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and their vehicles in early 2026 after the New Year's plot, according to officials. Reuters
-
Prosecutors and law enforcement did not publicly disclose specific street addresses or business names, citing operational and legal reasons. Los Angeles Times
General geographic area
The targets were described as being located in the Los Angeles and Orange County region of Southern California, but exact locations were not released by authorities. Reuters
In summary, law enforcement says the plotters intended to hit multiple sites in and around the L.A. area, especially logistics/distribution centers, but they have not identified specific facilities or exact addresses in public filings or press briefings. Reuters
