The legal framework surrounding remote sensing and its implications for Indigenous sovereignty remains ambiguous. Utilizing satellite or drone imagery above Indigenous lands is for the most part unregulated and thus Indigenous communities have little say in the usage of their air space.² This poses a multitude of issues that stem from colonization and commercialization of Indigenous spaces. Governmental organizations have been known to exploit political powers over Indigenous communities in order to gain access to their lands for exploitation - specifically in regard to archaeological expeditions. Lack of Indigenous say (and sometimes even the knowledge of occurrence, in respect to satellite imagery) in where and how remote sensing techniques are utilized is at the forefront of what I view as remote sensing exploitation. Many Indigenous communities have no say in how the air within their lands is surveyed or patrolled, as it simply wasn’t thought of before the rise of remote sensing and drone technology. In addition, remote sensing technology has been used to contact and surveil Indigenous communities within remote areas of the world, such as the Amazon, and relay images to the masses.³ This practice exemplifies the invasive nature that much of remote sensing takes on when in relation to indigenous communities. No consent was given by these people who were contacted. I will not be showing any of the images or attaching any articles relating to these practices for the privacy of the tribes. 

The usage of these technologies, to some, is viewed as a more ethical way of archaeological study. Indeed, the lack of physical interaction with areas and peoples is safer than more traditional forms of study and in some ways less invasive. The article cited above does go into these considerations, but I still see it as integral to think critically before engaging with this sort of study. Remote sensing can be a powerful and useful tool of immense value. However, considerations need to be made before use. The social, physical, and economic health of communities is dependent on careful examination of whether these tools should be used when they are. Transparency is of the utmost importance when utilizing remote sensing technologies. Why is it being used? In what ways will the data be utilized? Are there better ways to record information, such as community surveys or local navigators? Asking these questions before proceeding is crucial, and being in contact with those being examined has to come before anything.

Since the 1970s, when remote sensing technologies became available, it has been extremely restrictive and expensive. For decades, remote sensing was limited to governments and private companies with the money to purchase them. Within the last decade or so, it has become much more accessible - especially with the introduction of drone technology. This has opened the door for more Indigenous communities to utilize remote sensing within their own lives, protecting their communities and livelihoods. Within Indonesia in the last few years, state-coordinated programs aimed at “land grabbing” for the purpose of commercialization have begun to take place. These are supposed to be open and community based but are oftentimes not - leading to the exploitation of Indonesians and Indigenous peoples.⁴ Thus, the people have begun to utilize “counter-mapping”, or rather the use of remote sensing technology to create public sources of land based information. This sort of technology is accessible for the masses and allows it to be shared while simultaneously countering the state-based land grabs. Drones countering drones. Allowing remote sensing technologies to be more openly available allows for combative efforts against exploitative systems and organizations. 

In 2014, the NGO Digital Democracy taught members of the Wapichana Indigenous tribe of Guyana to utilize drones in another example of counter remote sensing. Primarily, this technology was introduced to combat exploitative instances of illegal logging and mining - something they had been facing for years. Similar to the counter-mapping of Indonesian communities, these drones are effectively creating safeguards and utilizing Indigenous knowledge of their territories to thwart harmful practices. Equitable geography begins with access. It also begins with more clear and concise laws surrounding Indigenous air space. Territories within the U.S. owned by Indigenous communities should be completely governed by those communities - land, air, and water. 

Remote sensing doesn’t have to be restricted and harmful. 

There are so many opportunities to utilize it as a way of bringing together communities and cultures in impactful ways. It can also be used to combat predatory governments and organizations. I implore you to explore further into the ways remote sensing has evolved over the years, and the many amazing things it is capable of. I hope you’ll take this short account into consideration when utilizing your own geographic research. Remote sensing is powerful and increasingly more accessible, and has been mentioned throughout, can be utilized in both positive and negative ways. It all depends on who and how it’s being utilized.