---

Traditional Land Use and Historical Communities Mapping Pilot Project (Phase 1) – Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement

Date: 2004-2005

To help facilitate the recognition of Métis Aboriginal rights, the Métis Settlements General Council (MSGC) retained EcoPlan to assist in the Métis Traditional Settlements Traditional Land Use Mapping and Oral History Project. EcoPlan led a an initial pilot project at the Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement. Using oral histories and maps, the project team recorded traditional use areas and historical community patterns as well as other important aspects of the Métis community. Geographic information was organized and stored in a GIS database system, allowing the comparison of data and identification of patterns. This project resulted in a traditional use database and one for historical communities. Important tools such as the project interview forms, geo-databases, and map design were developed for use in later projects. The results of this project laid the foundation for the development of other traditional land use projects for the eight Métis Settlements of Alberta.