First Nations and Native Tribal Governments Geographic Information System (GIS) Workshop Part 2 Cross Border Partnership

1. First Nations and Native Tribal Governments Geographic Information System (GIS) WorkshopPart 2 Cross Border Partnerships First Nations and Native Tribal Government Geographic Information System (GIS) Workshop Sunday, June 14, 2009 10:30 – 4:30 The Ruby Room Crowne Plaza Hotel 300 Third StNiagara Falls, NY  14303.

2. Overview on Canadian/US cross-border collaboration: • GeoConnections and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) have collaborated to develop SDI • GeoConnections/FGDC Xborder projects since 2001 • OGC test beds, etc. • Framework data • Joint US-Canadian Spatial Data Infrastructure Projects

3. US-Canadian Spatial Data Infrastructure DevelopmentThe two nations have come together to address issues that affect geographical areas of mutual concern through standardization and sharing of geospatial data, and the creation of regional online mapping portals or “atlases” (FGDC).

4. GeoConnections and U.S. FGDC streamline cross-border geospatial data sharing • By adopting standards and exchanging data more freely, the two countries are better equipped to coordinate: • manage cross-border natural resources • respond to disasters • protect the environment

5. FGDC and GeoConnections • The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is coordinating the development of the U.S. National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in cooperation with organizations from state, local, and tribal governments; the academic community; and the private sector. • The NSDI encompasses policies, standards, framework data, and procedures for organizations involved in producing and sharing spatial data. • In Canada, GeoConnections is fulfilling a similar role in building the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure • (CGDI), the Canadian equivalent of the NSDI.

6. Why do we need Spatial Data Infrastructures? Issues are becoming increasingly global/national in scope and require inter-jurisdictional cooperation. Geospatial information that is shared through all levels of government is a key tool for decision support in addressing these issues.

7. Why work together? Spatial information is critical • Spatial information is a valuable resource, not fully exploited and not limited -- large potential return on investment. • Estimated 80% of government information has spatial component (i.e.. address, place names, coordinates) • Goal is to have current and accurate geographic information readily available locally, nationally, and internationally

8. Cooperation Objectives • Have an interoperable SDI for North America & beyond… • Stimulate cross border cooperation between Canada and the US for common objectives • Obtain user perspective at the application level • Receive practical recommendations on technical and policy issues to advance SDI • Encourage private sector participation • Visibility, communications and outreach on SDI initiatives

9. Cross-border geospatial data sharing • Two infrastructures • Common standards • Geospatial Data Sharing • See next slide… • GeoConnections and the U.S. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) have been working together since 1999 to adopt common geospatial data standards for both Canada and the US. • By adopting standards and exchanging data more freely, the two countries are better equipped to coordinate security programs, manage cross-border natural resources, respond to disasters and emergencies, protect the environment, and streamline trade, etc. (see Success Story 3 )

10. US-Canadian Spatial Data Infrastructure

11. Joint US-Canadian SDI Projects Joint US-Canadian Spatial Data Infrastructure Projects Sponsored by GeoConnections and Federal Geographic Data Committee • Yellowstone to Yukon Y2Y (2000-2001) focus on Wildlife Habitat • Red River Basin (2001-2002) focus on Water Management • Lake Ontario/ St Lawrence River(2002-2003) focus on Coastal Data Integration • Gulf of Maine (2003-2004) focus on Integrated Ocean Observing • Mapping Infectious Diseases across the Maine New Brunswick Border (2006-2007) • Content & Services for Critical Infrastructure Identification (2008-2009)

12. Yellowstone to Yukon Y2Y: Wildlife Habitat (2000-2001) Area roughly defined by the Rocky Mountains from central Montana to Banff. OBJECTIVES: • Create seamless datasets for Y2Y Spatial data layers across Crown of the Continent (B.C., Alberta, Montana borders) • Establish solid network of partners • Train partners in metadata and internet based registry to make these datasets shareable • Create legal mechanism and network to share these datasets

13. Yellowstone to Yukon Y2Y Grizzly Bears in the Yellowstone to Yukon Region

14. Red River Basin: focus on Water Management (2001-2002) • OBJECTIVES: • Improve preparedness and mitigation for flooding within the Basin • Develop integrated US/Canadian Spatial data • Use Pembina River and Roseau River International Watersheds as examples or “models” • Assemble spatial data crucial to watershed management • Make data available to solve local problems

15. Lake Ontario/ St Lawrence River: focus on Coastal Data Integration (2002-2003) • Objectives • Improve lake level control strategies to: • reduce economic losses due to high/low water levels episodes; • protect/restore near shore habitats; • reduce disruptions to recreational boating; • while: • maintaining economic viability of hydropower generation; • maintaining stable levels and flows for commercial navigation; • maintaining suitable conditions for municipal water systems. • Integrate and afford discovery of framework data layers using metadata • Provide for data storage, maintenance and distribution • Implementation of WMS capabilities • Develop interagency relationships promoting standards and protocols for information exchange

16. Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS): focus on Integrated Ocean Observing (2003-2004) OBJECTIVE: Make data from many sources in many jurisdictions available in a meaningful way to anyone with an interest in the GOM

17. Kilometers 0 25 50 100 0 0.1 - 7.1 7.1 - 9.7 9.7 - 15.7 15.7 - 110.3 Mapping Infectious Disease Across the Maine – New Brunswick Border (2006-2007) • Key Objective: Develop a model for cross-border integration of framework and thematic data for public health into a seamless mapping environment. • Goal: Foster awareness among public health authorities, for the adoption of mapping technology to strengthen disease surveillance and control activities (e.g. planning immunization strategies)

18. Recent Initiatives (2007-2009) Northern Appalachian Ecoregion Conservation Planning Atlas (2007-2008) • Sole trans-boundary venture where GeoConnections did not partner with FGDC • This atlas project improved awareness and assisted land planners in maintaining and even restoring the ecological integrity and connectivity of this biologically diverse region. • The Northern Appalachian Ecoregion Conservation Planning Atlas disseminates the results of four science-based studies that provide users with detailed conservation planning information, such as the diversity of habitat and the lands that best contribute to building ecological connectivity. Cross-Border Content and Services for Critical Infrastructure Identification (2008-2009) • Help emergency-response organizations in Canada and the US to better respond to disasters or events that jeopardize critical infrastructure. • Critical infrastructure consists of those physical and information technology facilities, networks, services and assets which, if disrupted or destroyed, would have a serious impact on the health, safety, security or economic well-being of both countries. • Equip the public safety and security communities in Canada and the USA to identify critical infrastructures such as refineries, fire lookout stations, and hospitals on both sides of the border and to share information about these assets using a common spatial data infrastructure. • The two services also make it easier for both countries to share data - a great advantage when planning for and responding to events that threaten critical infrastructures.

19. Summary of Cross-Border Data Challenges • Merging data across jurisdictional boundaries • Lack of consistent data models • Source scales vary • Inconsistent positional accuracy • Attribute systems vary • Edge matching discrepancies • Spatial Reference: Projections, units, and datums • Transportation and other cultural features: connectivity at international and provincial borders • alignments of standard features such as roadways and railroads • Hydrology across the U.S./Canada border • Different densities • Different scales • Connectivity between higher and lower resolution features

20. Other Collaborative Activities: • ISO Metadata- • North American Profile • Joint Publication of Standard in Spring • First Nations and Native Tribal SDI Workshop -Niagara Falls in June 2009 (NCAI Mid-Year meeting)

21. Success Stories Presentations the Afternoon • Success Story 1 – Tribal Place Names and the National Map Speaker: Frank Roberts and Perry Kitt, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Plummer, Idaho • Success Story 2 – Using GIS to Improve Land Use Planning Speaker: Jeff Hamm, Yukon Land Use Planning Council • Success Story 3 – GIS and Emergency Management Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery – Speaker: Sophi Beym of the Tribal Emergency Management Systems (TEMS) Foundation. • Success Story 4 – GIS Support for Consultations and Negotiations Speaker: Kelly Peters, Mikmaq Rights Initiative, Truro, Nova Scotia, GIS support to the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs. • Success Story 5 – GIS and Forest Management Planning (FMP) Speaker: Binke Wang, GIS Specialist, Penobscot Indian Nation, Maine • Success Story 6 - Species at Risk and Land Management Mapping Speakers: John Manitowabi, Land Use Planner, Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Ontario

22. Thank you, Nyaweh • Workshop supported by: • Canadian GeoConnections • Federal Geographic Data Committee (U.S.) • National Congress of American

23. Web Pages • Canadian GeoConnections http://www.geoconnections.org/en/index.html • Federal Geographic Data Committee (US) http://www.fgdc.gov/ • National Congress of American Indianshttp://www.ncai.org/