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Learning from critiques of GIS for assessing the geoweb and indigenous knowledges

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Abstract

Advances in geospatial technologies over recent years have marked dramatic changes in traditional cartographic practices and conventional geographic information systems (GIS). Scholars in GIScience and digital geographies commonly argue that, compared to GIS, the geospatial web (geoweb) offers improved opportunities for Indigenous communities to make their own maps, contribute their own place-based content, and tell their own stories. Critical GIS has informed us about the potential issues with the use of spatial technologies in Indigenous contexts, which we synthesize into three themes: 1. compartmentalizing and distilling Indigenous knowledges, 2. undermining Indigenous ways of knowing and of transferring knowledges, and 3. exploiting and assimilating Indigenous knowledges. These three criteria are used to assess what Indigenous communities should examine when engaging with the geoweb and Indigenous knowledges. Our analysis focuses on issues of data ownership, access, sharing, and appropriation. We point to ways in which Indigenous peoples should carefully assess various components of the geoweb to avoid the misrepresentation, distortion, assimilation, exclusion, and exploitation of Indigenous knowledges and Indigenous ways of transmitting knowledge. We conclude with potential solutions for development of the geoweb.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Fonds de recherche du Québec–Société et culture (FRQSC) (Grant No. B2).We would like to thank Jon Corbett for the conversations about some of the topics that were discussed this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Geneviève Reid

  2. Department of Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, H3A 0B9, Canada

    Renée E. Sieber

  3. School of Environment, McGill University, 3534 University St, Montreal, QC, H3A 2A7, Canada

    Renée E. Sieber

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  1. Geneviève Reid
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Dr. GR is the primary author of the manuscript. Dr. GR conducted the literature review, crafted the arguments, and wrote the content. Dr. RES provided guidance and feedback on the structure of the manuscript, the framing of the arguments, and the discussion of the implications of the arguments. Dr. RES also edited the manuscript prior to its submission.

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Correspondence to Geneviève Reid.

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Reid, G., Sieber, R.E. Learning from critiques of GIS for assessing the geoweb and indigenous knowledges. GeoJournal 87, 875–893 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-020-10285-2

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