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Tim Leach GIS, LLC

Geographic Information Systems & Services

Tribal GIS

The most rewarding work I have ever done was with the Muckleshoot Tribe located near Auburn, Washington. I currently attend Northwest tribal GIS users's group meetings and share stories and ideas with my friends - GIS people from many tribes.

2006 Canoe Journey - Muckleshoot Host - Sand Point, Lake Washington

Issues of land ownership relating to US tribes including: fractionation, fee to trust conversions, land survey issues on reservations, problems with "boundaries", U & A areas, and much more are of great concern. I have experienced a substantial education with the Muckleshoot Tribe and affiliations with others in Indian Country. Even with about 10 years of experience I realize that I have a lot more to learn - there is no curriculum I know of that could compare.

I have worked with representatives from the BIA, the BLM and others. Issues regarding the sharing of GIS data and concerns of sovereingty are not trivial and I have had to consider them carefully with respect to the Tribe.

Advocating Survey Networks for Reservations (pdf) - recommendation with links to relevant articles

Tribal GIS Policies and Procedures (pdf) - notes shared for meeting at Tulalip on March 4, 2009

Aboriginal Mapping Network (link) - references and examples from my work with Muckleshoot to include the index map for the Topographic Map Series. The Muckleshoot topographic map series is produced at two scales: 1:1200 and 1:2400. Their appearance is similar to USGS quadrangles but also display a parcel line layer (best available at the time of compilation) at scales corresponding to County assessor's maps.

Everything is connected...