"There is a higher demand in the spring-time for the Geographic Information System (GIS) training in northwest Ontario," says Jordan Shana, owner, Northern GIS, in Thunder Bay, Ontario. "We are busy delivering courses two per month from January to April each year." Training continues throughout the year, however, and Northern GIS works extensively in other GIS projects throughout the year. "We get calls to do specific GIS training in communities at any time during the year. We run 15 to 20 courses per year and these run with a maximum 10 people per course, or a minimum three or four students," in Northern Ontario, often using the lab facilities of the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre in Thunder Bay.
"I taught forestry-oriented GIS at college, but GIS finds application in a vast number of areas in the economy," says Jordan, and governments at all levels want the precise data provided by the application of GIS technology, First Nations included. "It is huge, and growing quickly, but it exploded in north western Ontario when the demand grew to make data on resources available." In a sense, he says, GIS is integral to government structure. "One thing that makes it powerful is the way it incorporates data into software for wider applications. GIS is used to determine large corporate moves in the economy now. Communities manage infrastructure using GIS data, and day-to-day facts keep the picture up to date. We are seeing unlimited usage if you look at uses of GIS on a google search engine."
Shana explains that GIS is a tool to be used to document and combine useful information so that it can be digitized, mapped and displayed for legal purposes. "GIS and Traditional Knowledge can be helpful to First Nation communities in asserting their ownership and obtaining control of their lands and natural resources." Northern GIS is an innovative company that provides a full range of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services and training. "We are based out of Thunder Bay, Ontario and understand the complex and diverse issues that northern communities face. We work with clients by addressing their needs and helping to resolve these needs by providing efficient and effective solutions using the power of GIS technology."
The uses for Geographic Information System (GIS) are unlimited. GIS enables better planning and management of the information around you; and it simplifies decision making by providing quick and accurate information that can be used in economic development, capacity building, planning and maintenance. "GIS and traditional knowledge data collection can be helpful to First Nation communities in asserting their ownership and obtaining control of their lands and natural resources.
"We offer GIS, GPS and Traditional Knowledge data collection training however you would like it delivered. We customize each course to provide real world training. We also assist with land claim and flood claim projects, community database creation, mapping of all kinds and provide you with secure data storage. We work with you every step of the way to ensure that all of your needs are met. We are very understanding of cultural sensitivity and awareness and we are respectful of any information that is given to us."
They work with clients to develop and deliver the type of training that they need the way they need it. He says, "We offer group training courses or one-on-one customized training in your home community or in Thunder Bay. Our courses include: Computer Basics, Introduction to GPS and Data Collection, Introduction to GIS, Collecting Traditional Knowledge Values, and Advanced GIS. Our technical expertise is complemented by our cultural sensitivity and our commitment to ensuring that all of our clients have their training needs met and even exceeded." And he adds, "Talk to us about your needs and we’ll design a course that works for you."
Information management goes with self-government in First Nations, including managing infrastructure. Good examples of First Nation operations that deploy GIS management technology are the Musqueum, and Sto:lo Tribal members are using GIS, as well as, Nisga'a and Nuu Chah Nulth treaty tables and infrastructure managers. "I do understand the topic," says Richard Johnson, " and the issue has been around for a long time. I know a lot of different Bands use it, and large First Nation organizations have hired in GIS managers."
Operating GIS systems and using the data to the best advantage, "requires a concerted education that is coordinated with standardized softwares," says Johnson, "which (coordination) would help in cooperation and better utilization of master manipulated data models. The capital investment and learning is in the software. The applications are as diverse as infrastructure management and land management," (and he notes that GIS has long being used to one extent or another in applications in GPS). "No doubt it is used in forestry and other resource extractions, including commercial fishing and integrated resource management."
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