Akwesasne, NY —St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Environment Division announces their presentation of a Historical Map Display to celebrate National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week, on Friday, November 18, 2005. The Historical Map Display will be held inside the First Americans IGA Grocery Store, 850 State Rte 37, Akwesasne , NY   from 11:00 AM to 6:00 P.M.

Held each year, National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week (November 13–19 in 2005) is a global event that celebrates geographic information system (GIS) technology, the innovative technology that uses geography to bring countless benefits to the world. “Migration, The Human Journey” provides an opportunity for those curious about GIS to see its applications in action. A GIS is a computer-based mapping tool that takes information from a database about a location, such as streets, buildings, water features, and terrain, and turns it into visual layers. The ability to see geographic features on a map gives users a better understanding of a particular location, enabling planners, analysts, and others to make informed decisions about their communities.

Although you may not be aware of it, GIS touches our lives daily. It is used in Akwesasne and throughout the world to solve problems related to the environment, health care, land use, business efficiency, education, and public safety. The power supply directed to homes, the patrol cars and fire trucks that keep neighborhoods safe, and the delivery trucks on the road all function more efficiently because of GIS. This technology helps the Environment Division monitor and display contaminant sampling data and keeps a current inventory of infrastructure entities like roads, hydrants and houses.

Most recently we have seen how GIS technology can be used to aid Homeland Security initiatives, map the debris field following the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy, and monitor the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The applications of GIS technology are endless, limited only by the imagination of its users. From border patrol agents to doctors, and from federal agency employees to local city planners, people in nearly every profession all over the world are reaping the benefits of this extraordinary technology.

Ken Jock, Director of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Environment Division spoke about the use of GIS by his staff. “All of the Environment Division programs have benefited from the valuable mapping and data management ability developed by the GIS program.  This program also benefits the community with its mapmaking and graphics capability.  I thank Aimee Benedict - Debo and her staff for the excellent work they have done in developing this program into a model for other Native Nations to look to. ’’

Geography Week serves to make people aware of GIS technology and the important contribution it is making in the fields of science, technology, information, and the humanities. It is a grassroots event and a reflection of the enthusiasm and commitment of individual GIS users everywhere.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Environment Division will highlight the GIS applications that have enabled the department access to historical maps presently housed in the Library of Congress and other libraries. These maps chronicle the creation of some of the first maps created since Colonization, and range from 1600 to the present. The documentation of the Ancient Seats of Indian Nations as seen through the American colonists is also depicted. The goal of the display is to expose the local Akwesasne Community to various maps exhibiting the historical locations of the Iroquois community. The GIS program of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Environment will also display present day maps that document the location of various geographic features on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation.

Should you have any questions regarding this display please feel free to contact Aimee Benedict-Debo at 518-358-5937 ext 117 or aimee_benedict@srmtenv.org.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.