The Union of BC Indian Chiefs and Ecotrust Canada are happy to announce the publication of Living Proof: The Essential Data-Collection Guide for Indigenous Use-and-Occupancy Map Surveys by Terry Tobias (Tobias & Associates).  This book is the much-anticipated follow-up to the popular Chief Kerry’s Moose: A Guidebook to Land Use and Occupancy Mapping, Research Design published in 2000.

What began as a small seed of a second book in a traditional use study series has become an expansive, in-depth methodology for the collection of high quality Indigenous cultural data.  Living Proof is a peer-reviewed guidebook written with the support and knowledge of practitioners and the generations of experiences of many Indigenous communities within their respective territories throughout Canada, Alaska and Australia.  It is 486 pages of solid research methodology presented in an easy to read style with a gallery of over 300 maps, photos and graphics.  Being the first of its kind, Living Proof represents a milestone for the field of land use and occupancy research.  It represents not only the extensive experience of the author, but the combined experience of over 100 practitioners in three countries.

"Living Proof is about a land use-and-occupancy research method called the map
 biography. It is structured as a how-to manual to help readers design and run the
 data-collection component of a successful map project.

"Designing an effective use-and-occupancy research project is a creative process that requires reflection, solid thinking, common sense, experience, patience and a good work ethic. Templates are provided in these pages to help readers assemble the tools needed for their map surveys, but these are not one-size-fits-all solutions. Research design is much more than simply plugging values into a formula; a map will be only as good as the critical thought brought to bear in designing and running the project. The community’s own methodology will be described in a custom-written data-collection manual and the precise set of tools and conventions used will be determined by the unique context of the particular community and culture. Linda Ellanna, et al., are clear that, '. . . [T]here is no single mapping methodology which can . . . be applied to all ecological, cultural or temporal contexts. More specifically, whereas all mapping methodologies should conform to the scientific standards described above, variations in all dimensions of the methodology are not only possible but highly desirable - that is, the methodology should be keyed to the [specific cultural context and research] problem.' "

View the table of contents at http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/LivingProof/LivingProof_ToC.pdf.

Place your order by downloading the order form at http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/LivingProof/LivingProof_OrderForm.pdf and send the completed form either by fax at (604) 684-5726 or via email at livingproof@ubcic.bc.ca.

With a small print-run of 3,700 copies we are encouraging early orders.
 
We expect the books to be available by the end of January 2010 and a digital version is planned for distribution in the first half of 2010.

For more information, email livingproof@ubcic.bc.ca.