Geographical Thinking E115: NAIT’s Indigenous Community Atlas Project

Behind every map is a story, and behind every story is a responsibility to understand and protect the landscapes that sustain us. In this episode of Geographical Thinking, host Michelle Brake is joined by Dave Blaine from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to explore the Indigenous Community Atlas Project. Together, they unpack how science, community knowledge and storytelling come together to turn environmental data into meaningful guidance for land use planning and decision-making. From engaging maps that resonate beyond technical audiences to stories that help balance development and conservation, this conversation highlights the many ways in which we present data, and why they matter just as much as the data itself. Whether you’re a planner, researcher, GIS professional or simply curious about how maps can drive better outcomes, this episode offers inspiration and practical insights into how people on the ground are turning information into action. 0:00 – Episode Summary 1:03 – Dave Blaine & NAIT 6:06 – Indigenous Community Atlas Project 12:55 – The Importance of Storytelling 16:25 – Mapping & Data 21:20 – Approach to Community Collaborations 27:47 – Indigenous Data Sovereignty 30:34 – Project Impact 37:40 – What’s Next 41:26 – Advice for Others 47:01 – How to Connect 49:05 – Outro We’re posting new episodes full of inspiring geography stories at least monthly. Subscribe to Esri Canada’s channel so you never miss a new episode of Geographical Thinking! ---------------------------- Looking for resources on what we discussed in today’s podcast? Check them out below! NAIT Centre for Data Management and Visualization: (https://www.nait.ca/applied-research/about/centres/centre-for-data-management-and-visualization) NAIT’s Centre for Data Management and Visualization helps industry and community partners turn complex data into clear, actionable insights through GIS, data analytics and immersive visualization tools. Indigenous communities partner with NAIT to create “living” atlases: (https://techlifetoday.nait.ca/articles/2026/indigenous-led-community-atlases) Indigenous‑led Community Atlases are digital maps co‑created with Indigenous communities to bring together scientific data, traditional knowledge and historical records in support of data sovereignty and informed decision‑making. Northern Landscapes Sensitivity Atlas: (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f864e3d0817040a996e7a9fe6a4000f5) The Northern Landscapes Sensitivity Atlas integrates environmental, cultural and land‑use data into an interactive mapping platform that helps communities understand sensitive landscapes and evaluate development impacts. NAIT Indigenous Community Atlas Project Video: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bkHYEOwEIo) This documentary shares the story behind the NAIT Indigenous Community Atlas Project, highlighting how traditional knowledge and GIS technology come together to support land‑use planning, environmental monitoring and community‑led decision‑making.