Living Proof: The Essential Data-Collection Guide for Indigenous Use-and-Occupancy Map Surveys

From the Aboriginal Mapping Network (AMN), co-publishing with Ecotrust Canada and Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), this how-to manual describes a peer-reviewed methodology for high-quality indigenous cultural knowledge collection. Terry Tobias writes here about Indigenous use-and-occupancy map surveys; the book includes over 150 maps and an equal number of photos and graphics. The methodology is presented with many supporting photos and graphics - including those from many aboriginal communities across Canada (and two Aboriginal communities from Australia), whose stories, photos, and maps are included.

The author notes in the introduction that: "Designing an effective use-and-occupancy research project is a creative process that requires reflection, solid thinking, common sense, experience, patience and a good work ethic. Templates are provided in these pages to help readers assemble the tools needed for their map surveys, but these are not one-size-fits-all solutions....The community's own methodology will be described in a custom-written data-collection manual..."

Following a welcome, 2 forewords, and an introduction, the manual includes:

• Chapter 1 Using Your Maps - Tsleil-Waututh Case Study
• Chapter 2 Jumping In - Use-and-Occupancy Mapping
• Chapter 3 Understanding the Basics - Map-Biography Method
• Chapter 4 Looking at Maps - Sample Map Biographies
• Chapter 5 Charting a Steady Course - Research Principles
• Chapter 6 Rules of the Game - Understanding Data Quality
• Chapter 7 Getting Started - Advice for Early Decisions
• Chapter 8 Keeping Research on Track - Project Management
• Chapter 9 Designing the Research - Map-Survey Parameters
• Chapter 10 Clarity of Communication - The Questionnaire
• Chapter 11 Things You'll Need - The Map Toolkit
• Chapter 12 Recording Spatial Data - Marking Features on Maps
• Chapter 13 Documenting the Process - The Research Record
• Chapter 14 A Structure for Success - The Interview Procedure
• Chapter 15 The Interviewer's Bible - The Data-Collection Manual
• Chapter 16 A Necessary Roadtest - Interviewer Training + Pretest
• Chapter 17 Holding it Together - The Interview Relationship
• Chapter 18 Getting Community Approval - Verification of Map Data
• Chapter 19 A Tricky Business - Place-Name Mapping
• Chapter 20 Good Methodology Travels - Australian Case Study
• Appendix 1 - Benchmarking Best Practices
• Appendix 2 - Tasks of a Use-and-Occupancy Map Survey
• Appendix 3 - Conventional Coding Systems
• Appendix 4 - Avoiding Large-Polygon Problems
• Appendix 5 - Community Meetings to Define Survey Parameters
• Appendix 6 - Map-Toolkit Supplies
• Appendix 7 - Adding Value to Base Maps

Final sections include: "More Voices: Practitioner Quotes", a glossary, recommended reading, sources: maps and photography, acknowledgments, and index.