This user guide is created to provide assistance to both general users and experienced researchers and coders. Even though coding skills are not required for using this dataset, a basic understanding of tabular data files in Excel is necessary. For more experienced users, knowledge of GIS is also beneficial. The database includes all state trust lands distributed through state enabling acts, the original Indigenous inhabitants, and caretakers, as well as the cession history of these lands.
It is important to recognize that the information available is accurate only from the viewpoint of U.S. law, rather than Indigenous histories and territories. The database is based on the Schedule of Indian Land Cessions, which spans from 1787 to 1894, and reflects trust land parcels and activity as of November 2023. We advise users that this snapshot may differ from state inventories in the past. As no other database of this kind presently exists, with specific information on state trust land data benefitting land-grant universities, we are dedicated to making it publicly accessible and as comprehensive as possible.
This database contains a GeoJSON and CSVs, as well as an Excel spreadsheet with multiple tabs that summarize key data points. Users can spatially analyze the data using GIS software, or use the CSVs and Excel main spreadsheet for analysis. Summary statistics sheets are available to provide a quick overview of state trust land parcels and relevant information about tribes and universities affiliated with them. Users can also filter the data to conduct research on specific institutions or tribes.
For detailed analysis using the database, users can use the protected Excel sheet to refine their search and isolate specific parcels. This approach can be used to filter for combinations of parcels and is flexible for users to explore the data.
To visualize the data, users can use the GeoJSON file in a GIS program of their choice. After identifying the specific parcels of interest, users can import the CSV file into GIS software and join it to the original GeoJSON file for further analysis and visualization.
Users are encouraged to reach out to the database administrator at landgrabu@grist.org for additional information and guidance on using the database. If this data is used for reporting, proper credit to Grist is requested.
