Tribal ArcGIS StoryMaps Challenge

The deadline for contest submissions is November 18, 2022.

A laptop displaying an ArcGIS StoryMaps called “Finding Reciprocity in Restoration” and a drying up river through a dry tree forest

Get started with ArcGIS StoryMaps for the tribal storytelling challenge

  • Discover ArcGIS StoryMaps

    Stories created using ArcGIS StoryMaps combine one or more web maps with narrative text, great images, and multimedia content to tell stories about neighborhoods, communities, nations, and the world using the common visual language of geography. StoryMaps users create approximately 2,000 narrative maps each day.

    Learn more about ArcGIS StoryMaps

  • Practice storytelling

    Even if you've never made a story using ArcGIS StoryMaps before, we have the tools and resources you need to learn, including ready-to-use templates. Take advantage of blog posts and tutorials to help you get started, and explore story galleries for inspiration.

    Access resources

  • Tell your story

    Your story could showcase your tribe's plans or projects, educate people about an issue, or help gain support for your cause. Or it could be a personal story, such as sharing a place you love. The possibilities are endless.

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A forest of evergreens

Explore tribal heritage and sustainability

The 2022 Tribal ArcGIS StoryMaps Challenge, hosted by Esri, encourages US tribal nations and tribe members and college students to tell place-based stories about tribal heritage and sustainability.

Story submissions may feature any topic related to US tribal nations such as the following:

  • A tribal leader or change maker
  • Historical and cultural preservation
  • Ideas for addressing tribal challenges, such as climate change, water quality issues, health care, and land management and protection
  • Unique data visualizations for tribal governments
  • Important scientific approaches and contributions of tribal communities
Learn more about the challenge

Dates and submission deadlines

The submission deadline is November 18, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. (PT). Winners will be announced in February 2023.

Awards and recognition

The grand-prize winners of the 2022 Tribal ArcGIS StoryMaps Challenge, one in each track, will be featured on the Esri website and social media platforms and receive the following:

  • A Special Achievement in GIS Award at the 2023 Esri User Conference
  • A winner's certificate
  • A free one-year subscription to ArcGIS Online or 2,500 credits for an existing ArcGIS Online subscription
  • Two free days (16 hours) of Esri training on any course at esri.com/training/

The three People's Choice selections in each track will be featured on the Esri website and social media platforms and receive the following:

  • A People's Choice certificate
  • A free one-year subscription to ArcGIS Online or 2,500 credits for an existing ArcGIS Online subscription

Eligibility and requirements

The 2022 Tribal ArcGIS StoryMaps Challenge accepts story submissions from two tracks.

Track 1: A student enrolled in or accepted to attend one of the federally recognized US tribal colleges and universities, or a member of a federally recognized US tribal nation who is enrolled in or accepted to attend a two- or four-year US institution of higher education

Track 2: Individuals who work or volunteer for a federally recognized US tribal nation

The applicant may enter this challenge one time with a new and unique story. The applicant may share their story as an individual or as part of a group of individuals submitting one entry together.

All applicants must be 18 years of age or older to participate in the challenge. 

Judging criteria

All eligible submissions will be evaluated through two methods:

1. A panel of esteemed guest judges will select a grand-prize winner in each track.

Judges will evaluate each story based on the following:

  • Overall design, impact, and originality
  • Effective use of GIS and ArcGIS StoryMaps
  • Effective communication about tribal heritage or sustainability

2. The public will vote for a first-, second-, and third-place People's Choice winner in each track. The public voting dates and location will be posted on this webpage on November 18, 2022.

Entries must be built using ArcGIS StoryMaps.

Terms and conditions

By entering, you agree to the terms and conditions. 

Review terms and conditions

Meet our guest judges

  • Stephanie Smith, GIS Program Director

    Stephanie manages the GIS program for the Grand Canyon Trust, where maps provide insight into conservation across the Colorado Plateau.

  • Allen Carroll, Program Manager of Storytelling

    Allen founded Esri's StoryMaps team in 2010. He previously worked at National Geographic Society as an art director and a chief cartographer.
  • James Rattling Leaf Global Indigenous Consultant

    James Rattling Leaf, Global Indigenous Consultant

    James supports Indigenous peoples' nation rebuilding efforts with respective application of traditional ecological knowledge and Western science.
  • Jhon Duane Goes In Center Panel Judge for Tribal StoryMaps Challenge 2022

    Jhon Duane Goes In Center

    Jhon Duane Goes In Center draws upon ancestral ideals to mentor Native American organizations and emerging professionals.
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Get inspiration for your story

See the 2021 storytelling challenge winners

Visit the gallery

Learn how to build a story

Get the basics

Don't have an Esri account yet?

Create one now.

Connect with the Tribal team