Aboriginal Mapping Network (AMN)

The Aboriginal Mapping Network, a website facilitated and maintained by Ecotrust Canada, was established in 1998 as a joint initiative of the Gitxsan and Ahousaht First Nations and Ecotrust Canada. The network began as a knowledge sharing forum for local First Nations technicians, leaders, and decision makers and has grown to be a strategic resource for practitioners of indigenous knowledge mapping around the world. The AMN has a mandate to support aboriginal and indigenous peoples facing issues such as land claims, treaty negotiations, and resource development, with tools held in common through the website, such as Use and Occupancy Map Surveys, land referral assessment and response, Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, and other information systems. A freely available registration for log-in permission is required for complete access to the site.

The site includes the following categories:

• Upcoming Events
• Forums, including the follow topics [active in January 2010]:
  
  1. Announcement and launch of a book entitled Living Proof: The Essential Data-Collection Guide for Indigenous Use-and-Occupancy Map Surveys;
  2. New manual available on GIS data development of raw map biographies; and
     
  3. Announcement of web-based assessment tool for proposed land use activities on traditional territories.
     
• AMN Users - 
  1. Job postings;
  2. Maps;
  3. Discussion board; and
  4. Manual for moderators/authors
• Mapping Resources -
  1. Spatial data resources;
  2. Project funding;
  3. Legal information, including the Crown Land Referrals Toolbox;
  4. Mapping methods;
  5. Publications; and
  6. Training options.
• The Network -
  1. Information About the Aboriginal Mapping Network and its activities;
  2. Usermap;
  3. Events of interest to users;
  4. News related to aboriginal peoples and/or mapping; and
  5. Contact information for AMN.