Section 3: Indigenous Data Sovereignty

Background

For centuries, prior to Western European arrival, Indigenous Peoples were rich in culture, traditions, languages, and lived off the land in what we now call Canada (Truth and Reconciliation [TRC], 2015). With Western European arrival making way for settler expansion, policies were created in order to strip First Nations, Inuit, and Métis of their ethnocultural and linguistic diversity (TRC, 2015). Through means of cultural genocide (also known ethnocide), settler policies were aimed at universal assimilation and Indigenous elimination (TRC, 2015; Nelson, 2008; Davis, 2003). Many of these policies and ideals persist today, making way for data environments that are inherently inequitable and perpetuate colonial narratives that do not benefit the lives of Indigenous Peoples.

By the end of this section, you will have a deeper understanding of some of the key terms relating to the Indigenous Data Sovereignty space, have a base understanding of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, while beginning to understand how those experiences create innately inequitable data environments that require decolonial and anti-colonial perspectives in order to improve the outcomes and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and around the world.

Key Terminology

Who are Indigenous Peoples?

In Canada today, Indigenous identity is loosely defined within the Constitution Acts (1867) as First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (though the outdated term Aboriginal is used in Section 35 of the Constitution Acts). First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have their own distinct histories, cultures, languages, and traditional knowledge systems.

The experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Canada as a result of enfranchisement efforts (see Gradual Civilization Act, 1857) as well as patriarchal and colonial policies that were consolidated in the Indian Act (1985), have altered individual and community perceptions of identity.

What are Indigenous Peoples’ Data?

Carroll et al. (2020) define Indigenous Peoples’ data as:

(1) Information and knowledge about the environment, lands, skies, resources, and non-humans with which they have relations; (2) Information about Indigenous persons such as administrative, census, health, social, commercial, and corporate; and (3) Information and knowledge about Indigenous Peoples as collectives, including traditional and cultural information, oral histories, ancestral and clan knowledge, cultural sites, and stories, belongings. (p.3)

Examples include data about health services, education outcomes, locations of trails, historic areas, spiritual sites and harvesting areas, traditional place names, membership lists, community stories, and more (Rodriguez-Lonebear, 2016).

What is Indigenous Data Sovereignty?

Through collaboration, relationship, and trust building, Indigenous Peoples around the world are applying mechanisms that take back the autonomy of Indigenous Peoples’ lives, including our research and data. Indigenous Data Sovereignty is the right of Indigenous Peoples to own, control, and use Indigenous data (Rainie et al., 2019).

What is Indigenous Data Governance?

Indigenous Data Governance refers to the governance or stewardship of data itself, and the processes that are needed in order to implement Indigenous control over Indigenous data (Carroll et al., 2019). Many mechanisms are in place around the world that enable the activation of Indigenous Data Sovereignty. Indigenous Data Sovereignty is enacted through the application and assertion of Indigenous Peoples’ governance over data. Governance cannot be learned or asserted simply from reading; it requires a deep and meaningful understanding of Indigenous Peoples’ experiences, rights, and interests.

Decolonize your Mind

In order to effectively understand the role and impact of data on the lives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, it is important to have a deep understanding of the experiences of Indigenous Peoples. Settler European colonies have asserted dominance through violence, land dispossession, and oppression in countries around the world in order to create and sustain their colonial agenda. In our efforts to counteract some of these historical and ongoing wrongs, we must take the time to understand and reflect on what that history entails and how it continues to impact our lives today.

Efforts to Dismantle Colonial Systems

The competitive nature of capitalism has been the primary driver of data discourses in recent times. However, the exploitation and commodification of Indigenous Peoples and territories is as old as colonialism. Global recognition of the ongoing social, cultural, economic, and political injustices experienced by Indigenous Nations resulted in a need for an Indigenous-specific human rights document.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. The UNDRIP outlines 46 Articles that set out the minimum standards for the “dignity, survival and well-being” of Indigenous Peoples (General Assembly resolution 61/295, 2007). The application of articles within the UNDRIP are leveraged to support international and national momentum that asserts Indigenous sovereignty, including data sovereignty.

For decades, efforts to address ongoing inequities experienced by Indigenous Peoples have been outlined in national level documents. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) was released in 1996 and outlines 444 calls to all levels of government on how to better support Nation-to-Nation relationships. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released in 2015 includes 94 Calls to Action, and includes many of the same points of discussion shared decades prior in the RCAP. The National Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) released in 2019 again, highlights 231 Calls for Justice.

While the specific calls may not speak explicitly to the data space, the spirit of the messages within these documents outlines the ongoing need for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis justice in this country. The endurance of colonialism is evidenced by the sheer need for such documents and calls for action in the first place.

Indigenous Data Governance Principles

Indigenous data governance, as defined under Key Terminology, necessitates mechanisms by and for Indigenous Peoples to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ data are protected and sovereignty is asserted. Around the world, Indigenous data sovereignty initiatives led by Indigenous Peoples and organizations are asserting the rights and interests of Indigenous Nations (see for instance, The Care Principles for Indigenous Data Governance).

In Canada, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis each have their own unique ways of ensuring their research and data practices align with their unique political and territorial situations and worldviews.

Examples of Indigenous research and data governance models include:

• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. (ITK; 2018). National Inuit Strategy on Research
• Indigenous Innovation Initiative. (2021). Nindokiikayencikewin: to seek learning or Knowledges.
• First Nations Information Governance Centre. (2020). A First Nations Data Governance Strategy.
• The Tui’kn Partnership’s website also offers a variety of resources and materials.

As outlined in Chapter 1: Data Literacy, the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) has been a leader in advancing the data rights and interests of First Nations Peoples in Canada through the development of the First Nations’ Principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession or OCAP® in the 1990s (FNIGC, 2019; 2014). The First Nations Principles of OCAP® are increasingly woven into the fabric of mainstream research (see Chapter 9 of the Tri-Council Policy Statement, 2018 Research involving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada).

Indigenous Methodologies in Research and Data

Indigenous data and research practices require approaches that are rooted in what Johnston et al. (2018) highlight as the five Rs. While many variations of this sort of model exist, this one in particular points to the important role of relationships, respect, relevance, responsibility, and reciprocity when conducting Indigenous research. If you are interested in doing equity-engaged Indigenous research, you will require a deep and meaningful understanding of the work of many well-respected Indigenous scholars. Across every sector – health, education, social work, management, and more, there are well recognized Indigenous scholars who speak of the important role of Indigenous worldviews and approaches to respectful and appropriate ways of working with Indigenous Peoples.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Upon reading this section and reviewing some of the suggested external materials, what are some of the notable ways that your views on Indigenous data and research have shifted
2. Upon reflection, how are Indigenous data different from mainstream data? Why is this understanding so important?
3. In what ways does your institution apply Indigenous-led Data Sovereignty priorities and are there ways to improve them?