Series - Editorial Fellowship: digital transformation and technology for social impact

“Maps can be seen as truth”: Why Indigenous communities are using digital mapping to defend their land

Author Sharlene Gandhi
Mapping technologies and spatial data can pinpoint environmental hazards within a community

Why It Matters

GIS mapping superimposes layers of data about a location over a digital map to reveal trends and gaps in an area. For social purpose organizations working at local or regional levels, this information can be critical in driving awareness and funding towards specific communities’ challenges.

var TRINITY_TTS_WP_CONFIG = {"cleanText":"\u201cMaps can be seen as truth\u201d: Why Indigenous communities are using digital mapping to defend their land. This independent journalism on data, digital transformation and technology for social impact is made possible by the Future of Good editorial fellowship on digital transformation, supported by Mastercard Changeworks\u2122. Read our editorial ethics and standards here. In Northern Alberta, The Firelight Group \u2013 an Indigenous-owned consultancy working with Indigenous communities \u2013 has been working with a First Nations community to better understand water levels and flow. The research was initially prompted by community knowledge holders, who felt that lower river levels had changed their ability to navigate and travel through the river

Join a community of 2000+ impact-oriented professionals like you. Get full access to this story and all Future of Good content, including tickets to our digital events and networking, with a membership.