Including Aboriginal values in resource management through enhanced geospatial communication
Dates
Year
2008
Citation
Elliot, Nancy J., 2008, Including Aboriginal values in resource management through enhanced geospatial communication: University of Northern British Columbia (Canada).
Summary
First Nations use contemporary maps and mapping tools in resource management and planning. Maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) reflect the values, perceptions, and priorities of a Western-based Scientific worldview (WBSW). Traditional Aboriginal values are based in a traditional Aboriginal worldview (TAW), which can be very different from a WBSW. Therefore, maps and GIS may impede the communication of a TAW to resource managers and planners. The goal of this thesis was to evaluate and enhance the capacity to incorporate a TAW in mapping and GIS. I developed the Geographic Valuation System (GVS) in collaboration with research participants from the Halfway River First Nation (HRFN) and the University of Northern British Columbia [...]
Summary
First Nations use contemporary maps and mapping tools in resource management and planning. Maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) reflect the values, perceptions, and priorities of a Western-based Scientific worldview (WBSW). Traditional Aboriginal values are based in a traditional Aboriginal worldview (TAW), which can be very different from a WBSW. Therefore, maps and GIS may impede the communication of a TAW to resource managers and planners. The goal of this thesis was to evaluate and enhance the capacity to incorporate a TAW in mapping and GIS. I developed the Geographic Valuation System (GVS) in collaboration with research participants from the Halfway River First Nation (HRFN) and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Before the GVS could be built, we first had to identify why the HRFN needed a new approach to communicating their values. Community research methods were used to identify HRFN requirements. Iterative feedback methods supported testing of alternative approaches to geospatial representation, namely: review and use of hardcopy maps and multimedia; investigation of buffer and weighted polygon approaches; development of GIS capacity and introduction of a hyperlink tool; creation of areas derived from visibility analysis; and consideration of three-dimensional terrain models. The research resulted in fourteen principles that directed the creation of the GVS. Released as Open Source software, the GVS is freely and openly available to other First Nations who may wish to adapt it to their own needs and requirements.