Using Spatial Information Technology To Fuse Traditional Native and Modern Resource Management Strategies

Authors: Bryan A. Marozas & Jhon Goes In Center

Introduction ' Integrated Resource Management Plans (IRMP) ' Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) ' Geographic Information System (GIS) technology ' Application - Demonstration

Integrated Resource Management Plan ' 1.) Resources are Inventoried ' 2.) Resources are Classified and Profiled i.e., land composition is 12% range, 16% riparian etc. ' 3.) Management Units are Defined

Integrated Resource Management Plan ' 4.) Tribal Future Goals and Priorities are Identified in Terms of Land Management Goals i.e., 8% of land base should remain cultivated. 5.) Land Management Alternatives and Impacts are Modeled. 5.) Land Management Alternatives and Impacts are Modeled.

Management Alternatives are based on: Tribal Priorities Tribal Goals Tribal Principles

Management Alternatives Economic Development Ecological Balanced

GIS Based IRMP ' GIS is an automated information management system designed to manipulate and manage spatial data. ' A GIS links spatially referenced information (attributes) to the geographic location of a feature. ' A GIS is used as a tool to a.) inventory, b.) analyze and c.) manage spatial information.

GIS Based IRMP ' Cartographic Modeling abilities of a GIS include: ' 1.) digitally combining or overlaying features, ' 2.) determining feature proximity and ' 3.) generating buffers.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge is integrated knowledge of the ecosystems within the community traditional resource use area.

The settlers have interfered with the dynamics of Native knowledge.The settlers have interfered with the dynamics of Native knowledge.

Including Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the IRMP Process ' IRMPs can curate and integrate TEK that may be critical to solving problems. ' Two opportunities for including TEK in IRMP: ' a.) Sensitive Area Analysis and ' b.) Developing a GIS database on the terms of the tribe.

Mapping Traditional Land Use ' Developing a GIS on the terms of the tribe requires mapping from the tribal perspective. ' Mapping and automation of subsistence related activities.

Mapping Traditional Land Use ' Utilizing community members in the mapping process ensures that the land use is mapped from the tribal perspective.

FUSION Utilizing Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the IRMP Decision Making Process

Utilizing Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the IRMP Decision Making Process ' Traditional resource use layers become valuable when modeled with other geographic data sets. This helps to make decisions on potential impacts to any traditional activity. ' GIS database becomes a framework to which traditional knowledge can be attached.

Considering the Relevance of Aboriginal Territories ' TEK provides a resource management strategy that extends throughout an aboriginal territory.

Considering the Relevance of Aboriginal Territories ' Tribes should examine the definition of their aboriginal territory and assess the implications of the boundary for: ' a.) the co-management of resources ' b.) treaty rights ' c.) sovereignty and ' d.) the protection and/or restoration of cultural features ' d.) the protection and/or restoration of cultural features.

Native American Graves Protection and Protection Act NAGPRA PL

Whats Next ? ' Tribes may still have outstanding claims and rights within aboriginal territories. ' Tribes should re-consider the possibility of re-defining their aboriginal territories. ' Tribes should retrieve and curate traditional ecological knowledge for their aboriginal territory.