Mark Horseman shar that he’d been getting a lot more questions about Indigenous data sovereignty. We both agre it would make a great topic for this month’s column.
What is Indigenous data sovereignty, why does it matter, and how can we learn more about it?
To answer these questions, it helps to contextualize the idea of data sovereignty in the historical context of data colonialism. Data sovereignty makes sense in light of a past history that has been oppressive to certain groups, such as Indigenous peoples.
Before moving further into this topic
I think it’s important for me, as an non-Indigenous uae whatsapp number data person, with no direct liv experience, to acknowlge that my understanding of this topic is inform by the work of those with liv experience. It’s through courses like OCAP® offer by the First Nations Information Governance Centre, books, talks, and other resources that I’ve come to understand this topic. I will include references to all of these resources so that you might also benefit directly from them.
Research Is a Dirty Word
Several years ago, while I was doing research about we tend to fetishize research as data ethics, a professor suggest a book to me, “Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples” by Linda Tuhiwai agb directory Smith. It was an eye-opening read on many levels and a good primer for understanding the background and historical context for data sovereignty. Smith writes:
“From the vantage point of the coloniz, a position from which I write, and choose to privilege, the term ‘research’ is inextricably link to European imperialism and colonialism. The word itself, ‘research’, is probably one of the dirtiest words in the indigenous world’s vocabulary. When mention in many indigenous contexts, it stirs up silence, it conjures up bad memories, it raises a smile that is knowing and distrustful.”