It’s important to know this is a fairly recent case. 1990s, the lawsuit was fil in 2004 and it was settl in 2010. This is recent history. But it’s also emblematic of the bigger pattern of research like this that has been taking place for a very long time. Other countries, such as Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, have similar stories.
What Is Data Sovereignty?
Put simply, data sovereignty relates to who has the power to govern data. It determines who is legally empower to make decisions about the collection and use of data. We can think about this in the context of usa whatsapp number data two governments negotiating between each other, each having sovereign powers of self-determination. Indigenous governments are claiming their sovereign rights to their people’s data.
On the one hand, this is a response to the atrocities that have taken place with respect to data gather and taken beyond the control of Indigenous communities by researchers, governments, and other non-Indigenous parties. Yet, as data becomes increasingly important, many countries are seeking to set regulatory standards for data. It makes sense the Indigenous governments would assert similar rights with respect to their people’s data.
Ownership, Access, Control, Possession
>>>>>In Canada, the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FGNIC) is an independent not-for-profit organization whose early roots harken back to health research. The FGNIC has develop a framework for data the fnigc governs the relevant governance call OCAP® – which stands for ownership, access, control, and possession. They provide training in the OCAP® framework (it’s a great course!), which takes an expansive and holistic approach to data. As their website explains:
“Data in this context encompasses data from First adb directory Nations, including languages. Cultures, knowlge, stories, songs, and ceremonies, data about First Nations such as demographics, housing, health, economies, labor, ucation, and data on or about First Nations lands and resources, which includes waters, micines, and animals.”