Digital place name database for Lower Tanana

Many people are aware of the difficulties involved in compiling lists of indigenous place names. At first glance the problem seems trivial: simply take a map and start writing down names. It's easy to write down a few names, but as we attempt to provide comprehensive coverage the difficulties arise. Reconciling lists from different sources becomes problematic, and even finding a way to preserve the names in format which ties the names and locations together can be challenging.

Given these challenges I am happy to announce the availability of the Lower Tanana Athabascan Place Names, edited by James Kari. This place names list is being made available in electronic form, in three different formats. The first is an inventory of more than 1000 names with English glosses. The second format is a set of three full-color large-format (36" x 48") wall maps in pdf format. Finally, a unique feature of this online place names publication is the inclusion of ArcGIS geodatabase files which allow Lower Tanana place names to be incorporated into other digital mapping projects.

All of the associated digital files can be accessed as ANLA Item TN981K2012.

Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation Alaska EPSCoR Program.