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CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation is hosting a national Geographic Information Systems (GIS) conference. The conference is for tribal map making professionals and those interested in learning more about tribal mapping methods and GIS technology. Mapping transforms data into a visual image that connects the information to a geographic area such as a community or county. The annual Intertribal Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Indigenous Mapping Conference will be held at the Cherokee Casino Resort in Catoosa, March 7 - 11.

"This conference is for people who work with tribal entities and are interested in sharing solutions and learning about mapping as an empowerment tool." said Laura Harjo, GIS director for the Cherokee Nation. "I am anxious to see Oklahoma tribes gain a deepened awareness of how they can use mapping to reach their goals. These methods can be used within tribes for everything from analyzing data before you negotiate a gaming compact to monitoring the geographic patterns of diseases such as diabetes and cancer."

The Cherokee Nation GIS department has secured conference presenters from around the globe to present valuable knowledge on tribal mapping. Some of the topics to be covered are tribal uses of GIS for cultural data, natural resources and community mapping. In addition, issues affecting tribal data and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) will be covered. The final day of the conference will involve a planning session to gather input for sustaining a cohesive tribal mapping network and continue this exercise of sharing tribally appropriate mapping.

"We hope to be able to demonstrate how mapping can be used to influence or assist one’s own people or communities," Harjo said.

Registration fee for the conference is $150 for professionals and $50 for full-time students. For more information contact Laura Harjo, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2421) or 800-256-0671 (ext.2421) or send e-mail to: gis-info@cherokee.org or visit the Cherokee Nation web site.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org