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Community Mapping Program (Project Leader: Diane Baldwin)

One of the field-based educational programs offered by the NWT Geoscience Office is the Community Mapping Program.

The purpose of this program is to foster an interest in geology on a local level within the community as well as familiarize people with the nature of bedrock geological mapping. The end product is a poster that focuses on the geology, landforms, historic sites and other areas of interest described by the community. This poster is designed for the community, about the community – in an effort to encourage a general interest in geology as well as to provide an educational tool for teachers.

The posters are published by NTGO as Education Publications through NTGO's Gateway Reference Browser. If your community is interested in having a poster done please contact us at NTGO@gov.nt.ca.

Click the image for a larger view. Click on the report number to download.

Holman 2003
Gameti 2004
Why we map the land
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Tsiigehtchic 2005
Fort Good Hope 2006
Lutsel K'e 2008
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Deline 2008
Fort McPherson
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To date, five community mapping projects have been completed. The first took place in Holman, NWT (2003), the second was in Gameti, NWT (2004), and the third was in Tsiigehtchic (2005), the fourth was in Fort Good Hope (2006) and the latest was in Lutsel k'e (2007). Consultation with the Band office and community members is an integral part of the program. Open houses are held in the community during the mapping projects to share the information being gathered, and people are encouraged to ask questions and add their knowledge to the project. These sessions also provide an opportunity for people to ask questions on exploration/mining and mineral resources.

The project includes teaching basic geological mapping skills including: rock and mineral identification, compass traverse techniques, sample collection, GPS usage, digital photography, as well as landform and glacial feature identification. GIS basics are also taught.

The community posters consist of a geological map, descriptive notes, and photographs assembled in consultation with community members. The poster is distributed to the community and a presentation is given at a community open house to the general public, Band Council and the school. The poster is posted on the NTGO website, graphics and text are supplied to the community for their website on their request.

It is hoped that this hands-on experience will foster an interest in careers in science and technology. An increased knowledge of the geology, mineral resources, and the exploration/mining business can serve as background information for land use decisions.