Book HERE to see the giant floor map in person!
Before you do, take a moment to learn a little bit more about all of the resources available to you online for free, accessible from anywhere!
What is the giant floor map?
The Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada map is a 11m (36.09’) x 8m (26.25’) map created by Canada Geographic. What makes this map special is that rather than the political borders we are used to seeing on maps, the land is broken up based on Indigenous language families. Because of this decolonial geographic perspective, this map is a useful tool for learning and teaching about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis relationships to the land, including:
- Indigenous governance
- Human rights
- Original place names
- Movement of people
- Seasonal cycles and migration patterns
…and much more! Here is a very small version of what the map looks like, so you can get an idea of how it differs from the maps you might be used to:
Can I see the map?
While we would love to say “Yes, absolutely!” in response to this question, the answer is really more of a “Maybe.” Because the map is SO large and our branch is so small, we cannot accommodate a drop-in request to see the map. If you are interested in seeing the map in person, you must submit a tour request form here and fill out all sections as completely as possible. Make sure to mention you want to see the giant floor map, as we have to book a special shared space in the Longhouse next door! It will take time to coordinate space availability, so submit your request as soon as possible.
If you need the map sooner than we can accommodate an in-person visit, the entire map is available online for free in a printable format here. Read below for more details! (NOTE: Do NOT click the “Book Now” button on the Canada Geographic website! Xwi7xwa Library does NOT receive these requests.)
This map is too big. Is there a similar, smaller map I could use?
The good news is, this map is completely available for free online in a printable format that amounts to 2.7m (8.75′) by 2m (6.5′). While this is still quite large, it is significantly smaller than the giant floor map! This online version is also tiled, meaning you could print out only the sections that are relevant to your current course of study or instruction. Xwi7xwa Library does not have copies of these tiles for you to look at, but you can print the map for your own use. For information about printing at UBC, check out the Library’s guide on printing.
If the tiled map is still too big for your purpose, there are lots of other Indigenous maps available to you. For British Columbia, the First Peoples Cultural Council has a First Peoples’ map of BC, which is also broken down by language families. This map is completely online and interactive, so you can scroll around and zoom in to different parts of the province, and even click certain areas for more details about various First Nations around BC. If you’re looking for other maps across Canada and North America, check out our Indigenous Maps Research Guide, which has lots of other resources and search tips available to you!
What can I do with the map?
To get an idea of what exactly you can use this map to teach and learn about, check out the completely free Teacher’s Guide for the map. You can download individual sections under “Downloadable Resources” here, if the 178 page pdf is overwhelming! If we are able to accommodate your request to come see the map in person, Xwi7xwa Library does have the physical version of Teacher’s Kit you are more than welcome to look through, but unfortunately we are not able to lend it out at this time.
Of course, you are not limited to the (numerous!) activities published by the makers of the map. The OER Project has lots of free curricula and activities you can take inspiration from, for example. Be sure to check out our Indigenous Education Research Guide to learn about decolonizing your classroom and pedagogy. See also our extensive collection of curriculum materials at our branch in the “ET” section. (Did you know Xwi7xwa originated as a repository for Indigenous teaching materials?)
Can I get similar information not in a map?
The Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada also comes in a set of four volumes, available for you to browse at Xwi7xwa Library and Koerner Library. These books contain concise information on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, including timelines, historical photographs, notable quotes, and answers to frequently asked questions, making them an excellent reference resource for broad, background knowledge as a first step in your research journey. Notably, the first volume contains all of the tiles of the map! These books are for reference only, meaning you cannot take them out of the library, but they are available any time you drop in to the branch. Our atlases are a bit tricky to find, so feel free to ask a staff member at the circulation desk for assistance.
Want more?
Xwi7xwa Library has lots of Research Guides available on various Indigenous studies topics, including:
- xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Guide
- Indigenous Research Methodologies
- Two-Spirit & Indigiqueer Studies
- Indigenous Health Sciences
… and so many more! The guides will point you to specific resources, including print books, online journal articles, YouTube videos, websites, and more, as well as provide sample search terms you can use in your research. These are a great place to start if you have a specific topic you’re interested in!
If you have questions about more resources, be it about maps and geography or anything else, you can always email the reference desk at xwi7xwa.library@ubc.ca or visit us in person, our hours portal can be found here.