The Association of Saamaka Authorities (VSG) represents the traditional leaders of the Saamaka people, one of Suriname’s Maroon communities whose territories lie deep within the country’s interior. Despite their long-standing stewardship of the forest, Indigenous and tribal peoples in Suriname lack legal recognition of their land rights. Using Cadasta’s tools and training, VSG mapped approximately 100,000 hectares of Saamaka territory to strengthen community governance, document traditional land use, and build technical capacity in geographic data management. The project engages Saamaka youth as data collectors and emerging conservation leaders, equipping them with skills in GIS, ArcGIS Pro, and Survey123 for field mapping and documentation. Fieldwork began in mid-2024, with data collected across 10 communities, including several “transmigration” villages displaced by the construction of the Afobaka Dam. Community members documented settlement areas, farmland, cultural sites, and infrastructure, helping to create a detailed record of Saamaka land use and challenges. The project also focuses on internal capacity building within VSG. Trainees are leading peer-to-peer GIS coaching, building institutional systems for data storage and sharing, and developing strategies for forest monitoring and climate resilience. The data collected will serve as evidence in VSG’s advocacy for formal land recognition and support ongoing collaborations with Global Forest Watch and the Tenure Facility. By supporting Saamaka youth and strengthening VSG’s technical foundation, the project is cultivating a new generation of land stewards and ensuring that traditional governance remains central to the protection of Saamaka lands.