Research Data Management

Indigenous Data Sovereignty

Indigenous data sovereignty means that Indigenous peoples' have authority over the management of data about Indigenous peoples, their territories and ways of life (Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Toward an Agenda). Indigenous data sovereignty also means that Indigenous peoples' are partners in the research process, instead of subjects. Data collection and management must be made in alignment with cultural practices and participation from the community represented in the data.

Reminder that Indigenous data sovereignty is not one size fits all, as every community will have its own needs! That is why community consultation and participation are key.

First Nations Principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession)

The First Nations principles of ownership, control, access, and possession – more commonly known as OCAP® – assert that First Nations have control over data collection processes, and that they own and control how this information can be used.

Ownership: The relationship of First Nations to their cultural knowledge, data, and information. This principle states that a community or group owns information collectively in the same way that an individual owns his or her personal information.

Control: First Nations, their communities, and representative bodies are within their rights to seek control over all aspects of research and information management processes that impact them. First Nations control of research can include all stages of a particular research project-from start to finish. The principle extends to the control of resources and review processes, the planning process, management of the information and so on.

Access: First Nations must have access to information and data about themselves and their communities regardless of where it is held. The principle of access also refers to the right of First Nations’ communities and organizations to manage and make decisions regarding access to their collective information. This may be achieved, in practice, through standardized, formal protocols.

Possession: While ownership identifies the relationship between a people and their information in principle, possession or stewardship is more concrete: it refers to the physical control of data. Possession is the mechanism by which ownership can be asserted and protected. (FNIGC)

CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance

The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance are people and purpose-oriented, reflecting the crucial role of data in advancing Indigenous innovation and self-determination. These principles govern the appropriate use and reuse of Indigenous data. They also complement the existing FAIR principles (findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability) encouraging open and other data movements to consider both people and purpose in their advocacy and pursuits.

Collective Benefit: Data ecosystems shall be designed and function in ways that enable Indigenous Peoples to derive benefit from the data.

Authority to Control: Indigenous Peoples’ rights and interests in Indigenous data must be recognized and their authority to control such data be empowered. Indigenous data governance enables Indigenous Peoples and governing bodies to determine how Indigenous Peoples, as well as Indigenous lands, territories, resources, knowledges and geographical indicators, are represented and identified within data.

Responsibility: Those working with Indigenous data have a responsibility to share how those data are used to support Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination and collective benefit. Accountability requires meaningful and openly available evidence of these efforts and the benefits accruing to Indigenous Peoples.

Ethics: Indigenous Peoples’ rights and wellbeing should be the primary concern at all stages of the data life cycle and across the data ecosystem. (CARE Principles)