BC Geographical Names
Stumbled upon: the BC Geographical Names Information System (BCGNIS). This isn’t law but it’s in some sense prior to law — after all, it’d be hard to have an innominate jurisdiction, or at least more than one:
…[G]eographical names are… an indispensable tool for navigation and location, forming reference points even in historic transportation and communication systems. Standard forms of geographical names, and their clear, unambiguous application to particular features are an essential element of modern maps and charts. Co-ordination of geographical naming by one authority is thus an essential element in maintaining an effective system in which physical features and populated places can be easily and accurately identified.
British Columbia’s Geographical Naming Principles Geographical Naming Policy And Procedures [pdf]
And then there’s the fact that there are governmental policies and procedures for naming.
Then there’s the technology. See this best in the fascinating interactive map of the Nisga’a lands. 34 Nisga’a names were adopted as a result of the treaty; you can click on a map to see enlarged charts of Nisga’a territory; and a click on a place name gives you a page of information about it, including access to an audio file of a Nisga’a elder pronouncing the name.
What might law and legal research stricto sensu learn from this? What kind of interactive maps might we offer?
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