Cultural GIS Program

Mission

The Cultural GIS program uses geospatial technology to record Choctaw cultural and historical knowledge in order to support the Department's mission in assisting the community in protecting and persevering Choctaw sacred sites, historic sites, and traditional culture.

Program

A GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) utilizes satellite triangulation to accurately record the locations of sites and places on the landscape. Choctaw Nation Historic Preservation Department staff use GNSS units in the field to directly record the locations of Choctaw historic and cultural sites.

A GIS (Geographic Information System) is a tool for integrating hardware, software, and data that facilitates the capture, management, analysis, and display of geographic information. The Department uses data obtained through GNSS and other sources to create detailed, multi-layer digital maps to show certain aspects of Choctaw history on the landscape. This includes village locations, trails, treaty boundaries, Choctaw place names, cemeteries and much more. Some of the GIS maps produced by the Department are directly available to the public. Others are restricted because of the information they contain.