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On the eastern border of Manitoulin Island in Georgian Bay, lies the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. Already a leader in geographic information systems (GIS) among First Nations, the Wikwemikong Forestry / Fish & Wildlife Department had computer-generated maps in several different software formats. "The areas were already mapped under our old systems," explains John Manitowabi, Tribal Game Officer of Wikwemikong, "but we were looking to contract our GIS services to outside agencies and generate revenue, so we needed to be compatible with the formats already used by area forestry companies."

Drawing all that information into one source - ArcInfo GIS software - was the basis of their project. Funding from GeoConnections' Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI), the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, First Nations Forestry Program, Indian and Northern Affairs and the Wii-ni'guch-tood Local Delivery Mechanism enabled Wikwemikong to obtain the necessary software and computer equipment. The Band was also able to obtain GIS training for two of its members, Jeanette Bondy and Adolphus Trudeau, over a four month period with the assistance of Domtar Inc. and Sault College.

"Without SCI's contribution, none of this would have been possible," says Mr. Manitowabi. "We had a limited budget and they really helped get the project off the ground."

Forestry is the main industry in the region, but Wikwemikong has found several other benefits to using GIS. They have just acquired the settlement lands of Point Grondine and are using GIS surveying for land management planning, such as properly zoning land, cottages, access roads, and sacred and religious sites. "We can produce visuals to help the Band make better planning decisions, not only where we can build, but also to forecast where we can't."

A prime example of this came just a few months ago. The local landfill will soon be full and the area's public works department wanted to build additional raw sewage cells to cope with that eventuality. The original area chosen was close to a water source and could have had devastating effects on a nearby pond. "We showed them the make-up of the land, its contours and the effects it would have on the spring run-off," Mr. Manitowabi says. What could have been a potential water pollution disaster was averted. "If we hadn't had that information to display, it would have been harder to convince them that it was an unsuitable site."

Wikwemikong is extremely proud of its trainees and the work they have accomplished. Although once the initial training project was completed, the band had to lay off Ms. Bondy and Mr. Trudeau, Wikwemikong's partnership with Domtar has been re-energized because of the training program. "Jeanette will be going to Domtar for a couple of weeks to get some more training and there is a possibility of getting a contract through them because they recognize the benefits of contracting out to us." Mr. Trudeau is now in the process of setting up his own GIS business, an opportunity he never would have had without the training.

Sophie Sliwa, of SCI, was amazed by the community's capabilities and eagerness to learn. "Even though they already had mapping capability, they were starting with new people and doing it on their own with distance learning which makes it a lot more difficult." Wikwemikong, she says, also has very strong internal support from their community. "They don't know how good they really are."

The potential of GIS is just beginning for Wikwemikong. With additional remote sensing equipment and training, they are hoping to take advantage of lake contour mapping, a lucrative economic opportunity if they advertise to cottage and lodge owners who own property around lakes. They also hope to obtain a contract to do the area's fire mapping to complement their existing contract with the local fire crew.

"We've been able to show what we're capable of and how far ahead we are," says Mr. Manitowabi. "With all the products and the training, we can identify all the areas for the future management of our natural resources."