Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Data sovereignty refers to the principle that data management and processes that are consistently subject to the law, practices, and way of governance of the nation in which data is located. Indigenous data sovereignty is the fundamental inherent rights of an Indigenous nations to maintain, control, access, interpret, manage, protect, develop, own, and govern data about their land, heritage, and all forms of information and expression.
Indigenous communities are sovereign, and their ownership and stewardship of their data is an inherent right. All forms of information, knowledge, and items that are from, about, or for an Indigenous community belong to the community. Using, sharing, or disseminating Indigenous data, in any manner, must be preceded by consent and permission from the Indigenous community owner, even if that data was open data or from open source.
Indigenous Data Governance
Data governance is the set of principles, practices, procedures, standards, and policies that directs and ensures the reliability, efficiency, and effectiveness of the processes of data management and protection. Indigenous data governance is the enactment of Indigenous data sovereignty and self-determination by Indigenous communities.
Good policy making requires data sovereignty and data governance. The accuracy and cultural dimensions of the data are vital to decision-making. Researchers are to learn, follow, and adhere to the principles and ways through which Indigenous community governs their data.
Data Management Plan
A data management plan is a formal document that outlines how a researcher will manage their research data, both during and after the project. A data management plan is an important part of the research process as it sets out strategies and tools for how data will be handled throughout the project lifecycle, from collection and analysis to preservation and dissemination.
Data Security and Storage
Data collected from Indigenous Peoples and communities is required to be secured and stored following OCAP®, CARE, FAIR, TRUST, and distinct Indigenous communities’ principles as foundational guidance. Carleton University and researchers are responsible for establishing a data management infrastructure that houses and protects Indigenous data. The Indigenous community should have full access to the data management infrastructure, as the community’s approval and consent to the data management infrastructure approach should precede the research start-up.
Data Sharing and Accessibility
The accessibility and sharing of Indigenous data is required to follow the OCAP®, CARE, FAIR, and TRUST principles as foundational guidance, and abide by the Indigenous community’s data strategy, standards, and protocols, acknowledging that the research project is relational, community-driven and guided. Indigenous data must only be shared with those who are permitted to access and review the data.
Indigenous data must be accessible to the community owner, regardless of how and where it is held and preserved. Carleton University and researchers must protect Indigenous data during the research life cycle and onward. These commitments on behalf of Carleton University include a review of current risk management and data security measures.
Data Journalism
Carleton journalists and journalism students should protect the recorded Indigenous data, visual or auditory, that is gathered through interviews, conversations, or visits by following journalism core principles and respecting the Indigenous community’s traditions and customs. The Carleton journalists and journalism students are responsible for ensuring that the representation of Indigenous individuals and communities in their stories is aligned with and adheres to how the Indigenous sources present themselves. It is the duty of the Carleton journalists and journalism students to consult, verify, and seek advice from the Indigenous sources or Indigenous experts before publishing stories to mitigate and eliminate potential harm. A Journalists’ Guide to Reporting on Indigenous & Minoritized Languages, Language Endangerment and Language Revitalization
Data Backup
All forms of Indigenous data must have a secure backup that is accessible to the Indigenous community and is aligned with their data sovereignty strategy and protocols. A researcher is required to outline a contingency plan for Indigenous data backup in their research data management plan. The contingency plan shall be shared and approved by the Indigenous community, or its representative at Carleton University, to avert potential harm, and adhere to the Indigenous community’s data sovereignty strategy and protocols.