A free app for Android, by TakingITGlobal.
What is it?
Whose Land is a web-based app that uses GIS technology to assist users in identifying Indigenous Nations, territories, and Indigenous communities across Canada. It can be used for learning about the territory your home or business is situated on, finding information for a land acknowledgement, and learning about the treaties and agreements signed across Canada.
Why is it important?
Indigenous peoples have existed in Canada for thousands of years. Despite that, they continue to be marginalized and their culture and traditions are not recognized by the federal government. Their history, traditions, language, and culture are important to the identity of Indigenous peoples and the country as a whole.
In recent years, there has been a movement to recognize the rights of Indigenous peoples and to teach their history and culture in schools. There is a need for an online tool to assist people in identifying the Indigenous peoples and their lands in Canada.
How is it used?
The app allows users to select from six different maps of Indigenous territories, Treaties, and First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities. Each community's location will eventually host a land acknowledgement video, and other information that the community would like to include on their page. It will be used as an educational tool to create dialogue around reconciliation. It will be a starting point for conversation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens across this country about land, territorial recognition, and land acknowledgement.
