Abstract

Illustrating the Montana Reservation Economic Analysis Project using ArcGIS Online
Track: Tribal/Indigenous GIS Programs
Authors: Leslie Zolman

Understanding the economic structure of Montana's Native American Reservations (Blackfeet, Crow, Flathead, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, and Rocky Boy's) and the Little Shell Band is integral in determining the surrounding non-tribal economies and the greater Montana state economy. This project is aimed at quantifying Montana's Tribal Communities' economic makeup along with their contributions to the greater Montana economy though complex analysis of government to government expenditures, private sector employment reports, and novel consumer expenditure data in Tribal areas within Montana.

To complement static tables and graphs, ArcGIS Online will be used to diversify the overall presentation style of the information this study will provide about Montana's Native American Communities' economies and their contributions to Montana's economy. A cloud-based content management system, ArcGIS Online has the ability to illustrate Tribal Community funding flows and economic spillovers into the surrounding economic areas within Montana using pop-up windows, statistical charts, and web links.