Critical Reflections on (Post)colonial Geographies

Written By Siomonn Pulla
Photo: Copy of archival map from the Frank Speck collection

Photo: Copy of archival map from the Frank Speck collection

In this article I examine the tensions between mapping as a practice of nation building and the practice of applied anthropology and “counter-mapping” in Canada during the early 20th century as expressions of Indigenous territoriality. This research helps to correct a misconception within the scholarly community that counter-mapping as an applied practice within anthropology emerged during the 1950s and 1960s. Tracing the emergence of this practice through Frank Speck's anthropological work on the Algonquin family hunting territory complex during the early 1900s provides important context for understanding the history of and continued use of maps and mapping practices to challenge colonial ideologies and support Indigenous claims for land and access to resource.

Siomonn P. Pulla (2016) Critical Reflections on (Post)colonial Geographies: Applied Anthropology and the Interdisciplinary Mapping of Indigenous Traditional Claims in Canada during the Early 20th Century. Human Organization: Winter 2016, Vol. 75, No. 4, pp. 289-304.

Download the article here.

Siomonn Pulla

Dr. Siomonn Pulla is a seasoned scholar-practitioner specializing in collaborative research, Indigenous-Settler relations, and Indigenous rights, with a focus on fostering sustainable socio-economic development models and meaningful relationships. His extensive portfolio encompasses ethnohistorical and collaborative research projects pivotal to comprehensive land claims, resource development, and policy initiatives. Working coast to coast to coast in Canada, Dr. Pulla engages with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities, the corporate sector, and government agencies, delving into archival analysis, historical documentation, oral histories, museum collections and policy governance. Beyond his research, he shares his insights through teaching university courses on applied and qualitative research methodologies, and interdisciplinary theoretical paradigms, drawing from firsthand experiences to tackle pressing issues at the intersection of Indigenous rights, decolonization, and Indigenous-Settler relations. Siomonn’s work exemplifies his commitment to translating academic scholarship into tangible outcomes, driving positive change, and fostering understanding in society.

https://www.siomonnpulla.com
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