OUR STORY
Capacity building for Indigenous mappers of all skill levels
BECOMING THE INDIGENOUS MAPPING COLLECTIVE
The Indigenous Mapping Workshop began in 2014, with a vision to build a conference that gave Indigenous peoples direct access to the tools and training they need to map their lands. Mapping is critical to supporting Indigenous rights and interests, decolonizing place and space, and sharing Indigenous stories of the land. In 2020 we launched the Indigenous Mapping Collective, a virtual space for mappers and trainers to share knowledge and resources with each other and view IMW content on demand. Now with 1600+ members from across the globe, we are the Indigenous Mapping Collective. We welcome mappers from all skill levels including those that have never mapped before.
We provide training on a number of Geographical Information Sciences (GIS) tools including Google Earth Pro, Esri ArcGIS, satellite remote sensing with NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, computer coding and so much more! In the hands of Indigenous peoples, these can be powerful tools in the preservation and promotion of Indigenous land stewardship practices.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Indigenous Mapping Workshop is organized annually by The Firelight Group and our strategic partners composed of GIS education specialists and Indigenous community partners. The Planning Committee is responsible for all levels of event logistics, management, and curriculum development. We are honoured and grateful to work with this amazing team to bring the Indigenous Mapping Workshop to life!
Steve DeRoy
Founder, Indigenous Mapping Workshop Director, The Firelight Group
Rachel Olson
Director, The Firelight Group
Alexis Castle
Junior Researcher, The Firelight Group
Sabrina Fields
Communications Coordinator, The Firelight Group
Emily Keane
Communications Specialist, The Firelight Group
Andrew Miller
Associate Professor, First Nations University of Canada
Brent Hall
Director, Education and Research, Esri Canada
Jonathan Van Dusen
Higher Education Specialist, Esri Canada
Raleigh Seamster
Senior Program Manager, Google Earth Outreach
Tara Rush
Admin Business Partner, Google Canada
Marena Brinkhurst
Community Map Team, Mapbox
Pablo Listingart
Executive Director, ComIT
Cindy Schmidt
Associate Program Manager, NASA Ecological Forecasting Program
Amber McCullum
Applied Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center
Guy Aubé
Project Officer - Earth Observation Applications and Utilizations, Canadian Space Agency
Dirk Werle
Earth Observation/Remote Sensing, Canadian Space Agency
MAPPING OPPORTUNITIES
ANNUAL INDIGENOUS MAPPING WORKSHOP
The event that started it all, our annual
workshop began has seen over 2500
participants during the course of its
run. With the planning and support of
our technology partners, we are able
to provide comprehensive training
for all beginner, intermediate, and
advanced mappers.
MONTHLY SPEAKER SERIES
Each month we hold a webinar on
our virtual platform, the Indigenous
Mapping Collective. Members have
access to new content and training posted throughout the year on-demand. Input from our members have helped to select speakers and even shape the technology provided by our trainers.
DAILY CONNECTIONS
Members of the Indigenous Mapping
Collective are able to connect with
each other from across the globe to
share opportunities, ask questions,
and network. Our trainers from
Google, NASA, Esri Canada, the
Canadian Space Agency, Mapbox,
and more are available to help our
members as they build their maps.
It’s a global community!
COMMITMENT TO INDIGENOUS DATA SOVEREIGNTY
We are committed to upholding the standards of Indigenous data sovereignty as they relate to OCAP principles. As such, we do not share participant lists or maps made by members of the Indigenous Mapping Collective without their written consent. We welcome submissions from Indigenous community mappers and look forward to receiving them!
The Firelight Group
Xwmélch’tstn
Suite 612, 100 Park Royal
West Vancouver, British Columbia
V7T 1A2
info@indigenousmaps.com
(250) 686-9608
SAY HELLO
The Firelight Group
612 – 100 Park Royal
West Vancouver, British Columbia
V7T 1A2
(250) 686-9608