Background Information

The GeoPortal delivers geospatial information to Cree communities for purposes of supporting research, discussion, planning and decision making related to resource management and tourism development. The Portal incorporates Cree traditional knowledge datasets in combination with information and base maps (vector and satellite images) from other distributed data sources. It conforms to the CGDI standards and specifications and supports applications based on visualization of map data such as outfitting permits renewal and right of first refusal, environmental monitoring, environmental change monitoring etc.

The main objective of the Portal is to provide Cree users with a wide range of geographic information on:

• The lands and resources of Eeyou Istchee
• The Cree use, management and protection of these resources
• The threats to these resources from non-Cree activities
• The Cree and non-Cree infrastructures

The geospatial Portal provides access to the following information and services:

• Access to digital and vector base maps and earth observation images from the project database or from distributed sources that can be used by COTA and the CTA for planning, management and decision making
• Access to all relevant political, land management and land categories geospatial data
• Integrated tourism planning at the regional and local community level
• Monitor outfitting licenses and follow the progress of the application approval process including the right of first refusal
• Review the geographical location of current trapline boundaries and provide the geospatial data needed to resolve boundary questions or potential conflicts
• Determine the geographic co-ordinates of trapper cabins, include photos and insurance information and activity areas associated with traplines Monitor land disturbances such as recreational usage and illegal cottages
• Support impact analysis of proposed projects and post project impact monitoring
• Identify ecological hot spots and possible climate change impacts
• Consult documents that are relevant to the area by utilizing map interfaces

Users are able to access information of interest relevant to the area through use of the following interactive maps:

• OUTFITTING MAP and database keeps track of outfitting operations and includes a permit monitoring system. It also facilitates permit renewal and new outfitting applications
• CTA CABINS MAP and database includes a Web-based form used to populate and maintain the cabin database remotely. The cabins map also enables users to submit applications for new projects
• TRAPLINE ATLAS - The main purpose of this map was to update and finalize the present trapline boundaries on the Cree territory and to keep them up to date in the future
• GENERAL MAP is a public map containing detailed base maps and other geospatial layers relevant to land management and planning. It also facilitates reporting of non-Cree activities in Eeyou Istchee
• TOURISM MAP is accessed through the Portal application as well as through the COTA web site. The map displays the following main topics: Cree outfitters, points of interest, suggested itineraries and tourism related infrastructure
• COMMUNITY MAPS - nine maps, one for each community showing tourism infrastructure data.

Acknowledgements

The GeoPortal for Eeyou Istchee was created jointly by the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association (COTA) and the Cree Trappers Association (CTA) and was funded in part by the Natural Resources Canada GeoConnections program.

All the elements of the geospatial Portal infrastructure were designed and developed by Strata360, while the Montreal office of ESRI Canada provided technical and programming support to the Portal development.