Mapping indigenous California: Agency and tribal perspectives on ancestral territorial representation

Colonial-era and systematically inaccurate mapping of Indigenous ancestral territories creates failures in land use planning and environmental governance, undermining legally mandated Tribal consultation processes in California. Through qualitative interviews with 83 participants (33 Tribal representatives, 39 agency officials, 11 other), this study reveals critical shortcomings in territorial mapping protocols that serve to exclude Tribes from consultation and misrepresent traditional territories. Findings show that 55.8% of quotes expressed negative sentiments about state mapping protocols, with Tribal representatives showing particularly strong concerns (60.7% negative) compared to agency officials (42.9% negative). Mapping discrepancies translate into concrete land use planning problems including systematic under-consultation with affected Tribes, regulatory non-compliance under Assembly Bill 52, and inadequate protection of Tribal Cultural Resources in development projects. The research identifies four critical modes of territorial misrepresentation: boundary oversimplification, exclusion of non-recognized Tribes, outdated sources, and technical and cultural reductionism— all requiring immediate attention from land use planners and environmental governance agencies. Findings support the need for comprehensive reform through collaborative approaches incorporating Indigenous knowledge systems while maintaining regulatory compliance and Tribal Data Sovereignty.