USE OF GIs FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAG-T PLANNING IN FOm PROVIDENCE, NOKI'HWEST TERRlTORIES by Stephen A. Kilburn A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfilment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Arts in Regional Planning and Resource Development Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 1997 @ Stephen A. Kilburn 1997 National Library Biblioth&que nationale du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services seWsbibliographiques The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accord6 melicence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant a la National Lzl'brary of Canada to %iblioth&&enationale du Csmada de ~epfoduce,loan, distr'bute or sell reproduire, Ntet, distri'buer ou copies of bidher thesis by any means vendre des copies de sa thbde and in any form or fonnat, rnaking quelcp manib et sous -1que this thesis avaikble to interested forme que ce soit pour mettre des persons. exemplaires de cette th&e la disposition des personnes int&essies. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriete du copyright in hislher thesis. Neither bitd'auteur qui prot6ge sa Wse. Ni the thesis nor substantial extracts la these ni dm extraits substantiels de fiom it may be printed or otherwise cell-i ne doivent &re imprimes ou reproduced with the author's autrement reproduits sans son permission. atr~osatioon. The University of Waterloo requires the signatures of all persons using or photocopying this thesis. Please sign below, and give address and date. (iii) Geographic information systems ("GIs") are being adapted for use in a wide variety of ac- tivities involving management and analysis of spatial information- In the Canadian north, aboriginal communities engaged in integrated resource management have begun to use these systems. To aid understanding the implications of GIs implementation in aboriginal communities, a conceptual framework of thirteen linked issues grouped into five overlapping areas of concern is proposed, These issues m:capital requirements for GIS; physical infmtructure requirements; interactions of GIs and community social organization and culture; requirements for education and training; availability and maintenance of data; distribution of power within the resource management agency; distribution of power between the community and external interests involved in resource management; distribution of power in the community; legitimation of knowledge through GIs use; the possibility of positivist assumptions affecting forms of knowledge GIs favour; limits imposed on GIs by cartographic theory; limits to representation of knowledge in GIs; and technical limitations to GIs analysis. Field research was carried out in the Incorporated Hamlet of Fort Providence, a community on the Mackenzie River some 75 kilometres downstream from Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories in Canada. The study was conducted using unstandardized and semi-structured interviews, analysis of documents, and an unobtrusive research strategy involving technical analysis of computer systems. Interview notes were analysed initially using iterations of open coding with a wide coding approach, with final analysis achieved using systematic axial coding around the categories in the conceptual framework, Analysis of the unobtrusive research was guided using the set of questions developed to shed light upon evidence of intensity of computer use. The research illustrates the practical implications of many of the issues identified in the conceptual framework- A number of recommendations are made for other aboriginal communities considering using GIs as aids for resource management. Acknowledgements Although one name appears on the front page of this thesis, it would be impossible to ac- knowledge adequately all the people who have supported and influenced it as it formed, I would like to thank my supervisors, Beth Moore-Milroy and Bob Gibson. Without Beth's advice during the initial uncertain periods when I framed the thesis material I might have abandoned the whole project. Throughout research and writing she made certain that even during my wildest flights into the theoretical and technical I never forgot that the work should focus on making a difference in the lives of people. Her encouragement sustained me in my moments of doubt. Bob has the most piercing editorial eye I have ever encountered. A five word question scribbled by Bob in the margin of a draft could lead to days of additional research, thought, and rewriting. On the tine points of style and form he was invariably correct. The finished product is much stronger for his critical comments. My committee members, Greg Michalenko and Mike Stone, took time out of busy schedules on shoa notice to read the final draft thoroughly and ask well-considered questions at the thesis defence. Members of the administration at the School of Urban and Regional Planning assisted me in negotiating the necessary bureaucratic hurdles of being in university, and showed a remarkable tolerance for my delays in completing this work. In particular, I would like to thank Edie Cardwell, who assisted me in dealing with the myriad forms that need to be filled out, and arranged room and equipment bookings for the defence with admira- ble professionalism. As well, Edie and Vera Reeve always seemed interested in the progress of this sometimes apparently interminable work. I would like to thank the members of the Fort Providence and Kakisa Resource Manage- ment Board for their interest and participation in the thesis research. Without the support of the Board, both of the research itself and through providing accommodation and food during the first stage of research, I could not have hoped to have completed this thesis. As well, I would like to acknowledge the support of the Northern Scientific Training Programme, which provided funding that supported the initial research period. 1wish to thank all the people, both Board members and government employees, who agreed to provide their perspectives on GIs use by the Board. As well, people in Fort Providence too numerous to mention went out of their way to make my stays in the community enjoyable. In particular, Alan Bouvier, Rick Sanderson, and Greg Nyuli all took a great interest in making sure that I was comfortable and that I had a chance to experience the land. My friend Petr Cizek was instrumental in providing my initial introduction to the Board. During the research, he arranged weekend skiing, snowshoeing, and drumming trips. During these our lengthy discussions, sometimes practical and sometimes philosophical, about GIs use in Na- tive communities helped to clarify the understandings included in this thesis. As well, Petr, by arranging an emergency trip to a department store for boots, was instrumental in assuring that I would not have to keep my feet warm by stuffing my shoes with pages torn from Wittgenstein. Finally, I owe a great debt to my wife, Janine. Thesis writing not only demands great amounts of time for research and writing, but also interjects itself into all of the remaining time like a lurking ghost. It was Ianine more than anybody else who had to suffer co-existence with this spectre. To her I dedicate this thesis. Specific Problem Statement 4 I .1 . ................................................................................... 1.2 Research Object~ves............................................................................................... 5 1 -3 Theoretical and Conceptual Background ............................................................... 6 1.3.1 The Symbolic htuactionist Perspective On Culture ............................... 6 1.3.2 GIs as a Medium....................................................................................... 8 1.3.3 Planning as a Technical and Nonnative Exercise ................................... 10 1.3.4 Social Justice as the Basis for Aboriginal Resource Management Planning .................................................................................................. 11 1.3.5 Summary: Implications of Theoretical and Conceptual Insights for Aboriginal Resource Management ......................................................... 13 1.4 Thesis Outline .....................,........................... .......................................... 14 2. Characteristics of Aboriginal Resome Marragement Planning .......................................16 2 .I Resource Management Planning...... ,. .................................................................. 16 2.2 Aboriginal Resource Management Planning ....................................................... 18 2.3 Integration of Indigenous and Conventional Resource Management .................. 19 2.4 Indigenous Know ledge ................. .... ................................................................... --79 3. Geogxaphic ModonSystem and Resome Mimagement Manning em........................27 3.1 A Shon History of GIs ............. .. ...................................................................... 27 3.2 GIs Definition ................... ,., ............................................................................... 30 3.3 Using GIs for Resource Management Planning .................................................. 35 3.3.1 Potential Benefits of GIs for Planning ................................................... 36 3.3.2 Real Experiences and Problems with Planning GIs Use ........................ 37 3.3.3 Other Concerns with GIs Use for Planning ...........................................