Tag Archives: mapping

Module 4: Post 5 – Mapping and Indigenous Knowledge

Throughout my cyber-travels, I wanted to find diverse ways in which traditional knowledge can be shared. This travel highlights how Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping can be utilized alongside Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. In the past, mapping has played a significant role in colonizing Indigenous lands. Some of these shared resources begin to change this narrative and center Indigenous people reclaiming mapping. According to the article by PBS Decolonizing the Map: Creating the Indigenous Mapping Collective, they identify how mapping can be used to center Indigenous knowledge.

“Today many Indigenous communities across Turtle Island and beyond use cartographic mapping to track traditional knowledge of their lands and waters. These maps can show sacred sites, the paths of moose or caribou, the best areas to find a particular species of fish, where to pick traditional medicine and much more. Maps are often used when major projects such as mines or oil rigs are proposed on Indigenous land; they illustrate potential impacts these projects could have on the environment and the communities’ way of life.”

With access to online technology platforms, mapping is a space which allows more people to create, shape, and share maps than ever before. In 2014 the Indigenous Mapping Workshop began, and by 2020 the virtual Indigenous Mapping Collective was created to share knowledge and resources with one another. Through this collective, there have been connections to Google, and Canada’s Indigenous Lands have been added to Google Maps and Google Earth.

A collection of Indigenous Studies GIS Resources are available through Carleton University’s Library.

 

Module 2 – Post 4 – Musqueam Place Names Mapping Portal

Financially supported by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage Aboriginal Languages Initiatives, the Musqueam Place Names Mapping Portal is the public portion of Musqueam’s recorded Place Names. Data is made available by the Musqueam Indian Band. As you click on points of the map you are greeted with illustrations or historical photography of the place, and (if available) audio of the name spoken in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. While browsing this online learning tool authored by Musqueam, I discovered:

  • A strong and clear disclaimer that the materials in this place names map is Musqueam Heritage, must be treated with respect, and no part of it can be transmitted, reproduced or stored in a retrieval system – so I have not included any images of this resource out of respect. 
  • There was a story lines section where you could follow a path of select place names in a purposeful order. The illustrations portrayed the cultural context of the places. For example, a gathering on Jericho beach with drumming, a potlatch, watching relatives arrive in canoes, etc.
  • Credit is given each artist, photographer, and audio clip.

I appreciate seeing another example of a learning tool that is Indigenous-developed. The intent on the opening page to state the digital boundaries we have as visitors interacting with the materials is an example of self-determination of an e-learning space.

The multimedia-based and interactive depiction of place names shows a holistic, multi-pronged approach to learning about the land, especially when relevant cultural traditions are included for context.