Indigenous Data Portals
Discover authoritative, community-approved datasets through portals such as Native-Land.ca (interactive territorial map with an open API) and Government of Canada – Aboriginal Lands of Canada Legislative Boundaries. Each site offers downloadable shapefiles or web services you can add directly to ArcGIS or QGIS projects, making it easy to visualize First Nations, Inuit, and Métis land relationships alongside other layers.
Treaties & Territorial Boundaries
For historical and legal context, browse the Historic Treaties dataset. These datasets map out pre-Confederation, numbered, and modern treaties at multiple scales, helping you place research findings within the correct territorial framework. Always cross-reference with community sources to ensure boundaries reflect Indigenous perspectives.
Indigenous StoryMaps & Atlases
Explore narrative-rich mapping projects such as the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, the First Nations Land Rights and Environmentalism in British Columbia interactive atlas, and the spacing page dedicated to Exploring Toronto Through It’s Indigenous Heritage. These resources demonstrate best practices in combining spatial data with oral histories, photographs, and archival materials.
Data Sovereignty & Ethical Guidelines
When working with Indigenous-related geospatial data, follow the OCAP® Principles (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession) and the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance. These frameworks stress meaningful consent, community review, and culturally appropriate attribution. Before sharing or publishing derivative maps, confirm usage rights and, where possible, involve the relevant Nation or community in your workflow.