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UBC Theses and Dissertations
The Aboriginal Mapping Network : a case study in the democratization of mapping Johnson, Benjamin David
Abstract
Land claims, increased control over natural resources and movement towards self-government demand that First Nations produce maps that bring local knowledge into planning and governance processes. For their mapping needs, First Nations are turning largely to geographic information systems (GIS), complex and expensive computer-based spatial database systems. They are, however, developing their technical skills independently of each other, rarely experiencing the knowledge-sharing benefits characteristic of an integrated community. To address this problem, and to help build mapping capacities in general, the Aboriginal Mapping Network was created by Ecotrust Canada, an environmental non-governmental organization, and several First Nations. Using the medium of the World Wide Web, the Network seeks to create linkages between First Nations mappers and to provide a space for the sharing of knowledge. This thesis uses a formative program evaluation framework to assess the strengths, weaknesses and potential of the nascent Network. The evaluation draws on interviews with First Nations mappers and network developers. Conclusions are drawn on how effective the Network is in developing communications linkages and facilitating knowledge sharing, and how this might continue in the future. Concurrently, the Network is used as a case study in the democratization of mapping. Capacity building in GIS technology, it is argued, will allow First Nations to produce unconventional maps that articulate local worldviews and perceptions of place. As embodiments of local knowledge, these maps will in turn be used in planning, negotiations and governance to empower First Nations on their own terms.
Item Metadata
Title |
The Aboriginal Mapping Network : a case study in the democratization of mapping
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1999
|
Description |
Land claims, increased control over natural resources and movement towards self-government
demand that First Nations produce maps that bring local knowledge into planning and
governance processes. For their mapping needs, First Nations are turning largely to geographic
information systems (GIS), complex and expensive computer-based spatial database systems.
They are, however, developing their technical skills independently of each other, rarely
experiencing the knowledge-sharing benefits characteristic of an integrated community. To
address this problem, and to help build mapping capacities in general, the Aboriginal Mapping
Network was created by Ecotrust Canada, an environmental non-governmental organization, and
several First Nations. Using the medium of the World Wide Web, the Network seeks to create
linkages between First Nations mappers and to provide a space for the sharing of knowledge.
This thesis uses a formative program evaluation framework to assess the strengths, weaknesses
and potential of the nascent Network. The evaluation draws on interviews with First Nations
mappers and network developers. Conclusions are drawn on how effective the Network is in
developing communications linkages and facilitating knowledge sharing, and how this might
continue in the future. Concurrently, the Network is used as a case study in the democratization
of mapping. Capacity building in GIS technology, it is argued, will allow First Nations to
produce unconventional maps that articulate local worldviews and perceptions of place. As
embodiments of local knowledge, these maps will in turn be used in planning, negotiations and
governance to empower First Nations on their own terms.
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Extent |
8775986 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-06-12
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0099349
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1999-05
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.