A FRAMEWORK FOR A PROGRAM OF KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN
GEOMATICS TO ABORIGINAL/FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES
Introduction
Geomatics is commonly defined as a discipline aimed at managing geographical data by
means of the science and technology used to acquire, store, process, display and
distribute the data. It includes land surveying, mapping, remote sensing, land and
resource information management, computer-assisted drafting and mapping (CAD/CAM),
geographic information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS).
90% of Natural Resources Canada, Legal Surveys Divisions activities are related to
Aboriginal/First Nation lands. Legal Surveys Division has a mission to align its programs
on Aboriginal/First Nation lands with the needs and aspirations of Canada's
Aboriginal/First Nation groups.
There is a general shortage of trained Aboriginal/First Nation people in Science and
Technology. Aboriginal/First Nation people working in science and technology comprise
0.57% of the workforce. The 1996/1997 census data indicates that less than 0.2% of
Aboriginal/First Nation students enrolled at the post-secondary level are studying
Sciences. There is a need to initiate intervention measures to help build a pool of land
management technologists and professionals to increase Aboriginal/First Nation's
representation in the science and technology sector. This need is evident in the geomatics
field where geomatics skills are needed by Aboriginal groups and First Nations as they
attain self-government and management of their land and resources.
Objectives
The first objective of the program is to increase geomatics skills of Aboriginal/First
Nation people so that they are able to effectively carry out land management, land
registry and survey functions in their communities. Capacity building will be provided
according to the needs of each Aboriginal/First Nation community. Because of the
Aboriginal/First Nation's intense cultural and spiritual links with the land, there
is a need to strategically plan the skills' development so that they meet the
comprehensive land management requirements of each community
A second objective is to expand the window of opportunity for Aboriginal/First Nation
people so they can take advantage of available technical/scientific employment within the
Federal Public Service and the Canadian workforce as a whole.
Background
It is estimated that in the normal course of its work, Legal Surveys Division, through
a regional network of 10 offices, has well over 1,600 land survey related contacts
annually with Aboriginal/First Nation people. Also Legal Surveys Division through many
initiatives over the years has contributed to or led in Aboriginal/First Nation training
programs and projects.
On February 9 & 10, 2000 in Calgary, Legal Surveys Division, with support from the
Treasury Board Employment Equity Positive Measures Program Intervention Fund, held an
Aboriginal/First Nation Capacity Building workshop in Geomatics. The participants were
drawn from various Federal Government Departments and Aboriginal/First Nation groups from
across Canada. The main need expressed by the participants in the workshop was for
knowledge transfer, to help them carry out land management functions.
In May 2000, A Geographical Information System Pilot Project coordinated by Legal
Surveys Division titled "Knowledge Transfer to Blood Tribe Members" began. Under
this project four participants will take six capacity building modules related to
geomatics, land management and land registration using Blood Tribe digital data.
Program Principles and Design
a. Principles
Under this program projects developed will:
- be multifaceted, tailored to the needs of Aboriginal/First Nation people and complement
Legal Surveys Division's and other participating organization's mandated
activities,
- be flexible,
- be developed taking into consideration regional needs, and
- be focused on "on the job" capacity building supplemented with some formal
classroom or workshop training education.
b. Design
The program will be designed with input from various stakeholders including,
Aboriginal/First Nation groups, Treasury Board, Public Service Commission, other
government departments, central agencies and Natural Resources Canada corporate groups. A
steering committee of representatives from Legal Surveys Division will coordinate the
development and implementation of the program.
Natural Resources Canada - Legal Surveys Division will share responsibilities with
Aboriginal/First Nation communities in designing and implementing the projects. These
responsibilities include discussions with educational institutions, other host federal
government departments and funding agencies.
Legal Surveys Division's Aboriginal Resource Officer(s) will be the primary
contact however other Legal Surveys Division staff will provide technical and professional
support for the projects.
The knowledge and technology transfer opportunities will be offered to Aboriginal/First
Nation groups through the Legal Surveys Division network of Regional Offices.
The expectations from the participants are high and the modules challenging. The
minimum education level for participants is a high school diploma. The Aboriginal/First
Nation group(s) will be responsible to ensure qualified and interested participants are
selected and also are responsible for the personnel management of the participants during
the project. This will involve the people from the communities in human resource planning
as well as administration and financial management activities.
Under the program Aboriginal/First Nation groups must identify a practical land
management related project where the participants can develop their skills and abilities
and that will benefit the community in the short and long term. There should be a
reasonable opportunity for employment within Land Management Units of their respective
communities. Eventually, if no employment is found in the community participants will be
strongly urged to seek a career in geomatics sciences elsewhere or continue their
education at higher-level educational institutes.
Partners
Partners for each project will be determined on the basis of the needs of each
Aboriginal/First Nation Community.
Several other government departments and educational institutions have partnered with
Legal Surveys Division and Aboriginal/First Nations groups in the past and should continue
to do so in the future. An example of past partners are:
- Natural Resources Canada - Canadian Forestry Services.
- Prairie Farmers Rehabilitation Administration.
- Natural Resources Canada - Sustainable Communities.
- Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
- Northern Lakes College - Grouard, Alberta.
- Public Service Commission.
- School of Community Government, Aurora College - Yellowknife, NWT.
Funding
Legal Surveys Division's Aboriginal Resource Officer(s) will work with the First
Aboriginal/First Nation communities to resource their project. Each Aboriginal/First
Nation community will be responsible for acquiring funding for part of each project. This
could include providing hardware, software and other equipment, wages and travel for the
participants and paying for formal education modules. The Aboriginal Resource Officer can
assist in providing linkages to other governments departments including PSC, HRDC, etc.
for funding. Costs of the Aboriginal Resource Office are charged to the project. Partners
may provide resources in the form of in-kind-support (wages of employees that provide
coaching or training, use of equipment, etc.)
Typical Annual Schedule for each Project
October
Identify Aboriginal/First Nation groups.
November
Discuss with Aboriginal/First Nation land management staff their geomatics capacity
building needs and ideas for a project
Initiate discussion with potential partners and training institutions.
January
Develop and finalize agreements with all stakeholders
March
(Aboriginal/First Nations, partners, educational institutions)
April
Purchase required computers and software.
Assist Aboriginal/First Nation groups in selecting participants.
May
Deliver Knowledge Transfer Module at Education Institution.
June
Deliver Knowledge Transfer Modules by partners (Legal Surveys Division
July
Indian Affairs, Forestry Canada, Agriculture Canada, others)
July/August
Examine data files and records at Aboriginal/First Nation home office.
Evaluate and close project
Sustainability
Sustainability is provided by the employment of Aboriginal/First Nation people in their
communities where geomatics skills are needed for self-government and management of their
land and resources. Through this program the window of opportunity for Aboriginal/First
Nation people employment will also be expanded with the public service and industry.
Capacity building must be a continuous process. Normally, to train a Geomatics
technologist requires 2 to 3 years of post-secondary school education. To become a
Geomatics professional requires at least 4 years post-secondary education and formal work
experience. This program will encourage the continual development of Aboriginal/First
Nation people in geomatics, a field of science and technology.
Expected Results (Measurable)
The first measurable result is the increased employability for participants in
Aboriginal/First Nation communities.
The second measurable result is the increased employability of Aboriginal/First Nation
people in Geomatics within the federal government and the Canadian workforce.
The third measurable result is an increase in Aboriginal/First Nation people entering
other training and education programs in Geomatics.
Evaluation
The participants and the Aboriginal/First Nation land manager will prepare a report
evaluating each project. The reports will be reviewed to see if goals were met and the
participants received enough training to satisfy the need of the community. This report
will form part of the technical exercise for the knowledge transfer participant.
LSD's Aboriginal Resource Officer will discuss career goals with participants and
offer intervention career counseling.
The first evaluation will be conducted at the conclusion of the pilot project
"Geographical Information Systems - Knowledge Transfer to Blood Tribe " started
in May of this year.
For Further Information Contact:
Vicki Grant
Aboriginal Resource Officer
Legal Surveys Division, Natural Resources Canada
605 - 9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4C3
Phone (780) 495 2674
Fax (780) 495 4052
vgrant@nrcan.gc.ca
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