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Research Data Management

Respectful Research

Discover how to conduct ethical and respectful research that aligns with Indigenous values and sovereignty in our library guide Truth and Reconciliation: Respectful Research.

Indigenous Data Sovereignty

Indigenous Data Sovereignty

Indigenous data sovereignty refers to the right of Indigenous Peoples to collect, access, analyze, interpret, manage, distribute, and reuse all data that was derived from or relates to their communities.

Indigenous data sovereignty advocates for self-determination and self-governance, meaning that Indigenous Peoples would control all aspects of the research process, from idea conception to use of resulting data. Without Indigenous data sovereignty, there is no way to ensure that Indigenous data reflects the rich diversity in Indigenous worldviews, ways of knowing, priorities, cultures, and values (Walter & Suina, 2019).

Indigenous Data

Indigenous data includes any information about and from Indigenous communities, individuals, lands or resources. This can range from demographic data to cultural knowledge, language and information about wildlife and ecosystems. 

Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy and Indigenous Data Sovereignty

The Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy acknowledges that data related to research by and with Indigenous communities must be managed in accordance with data management principles. These include, but are not limited to considerations of data collection, ownership, protection, use and sharing. 

The policy states that:

"For research conducted by and with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, collectives and organizations, DMPs must be co-developed with these communities, collectives and organizations, in accordance with RDM principles or DMP formats that they accept. DMPs in the context of research by and with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, collectives and organizations should recognize Indigenous data sovereignty and include options for renegotiation of the DMP."

Learn more:

Co-developed by Indigenous communities and the Canada Research Coordinating Committee, this initiative provides links to resources and policies related to Indigenous research and research training model that contributes to reconciliation.

By using the concept of Indigenous relationality, this talk will unpack how when we change our perception of Indigenous data and data ownership, we can become ethical stewards of data, and work towards Indigenous data sovereignty practices.

CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance

▶ CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance

The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance offer a framework for the ethical use and management of Indigenous data. The principles complement the FAIR principles and emphasize the crucial role of data in advancing Indigenous innovation and self-determination. 
Image: BeFAIRandCARE is licensed under CC BY 4.0 

CARE stands for: 

  • 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.
  • 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
  • Ethics - Indigenous Peoples’ rights and wellbeing should be the primary concern at all stages of the data life cycle and across the data ecosystem

The First Nations principles of OCAP®

▶ The OCAP® principles

Developed by the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC), The OCAP® principles establish how First Nations’ data and information will be collected, protected, used, or shared.

OCAP® stands for:

  • Ownership  - First Nations communities or groups own data collectively in the same way that an individual owns his or her personal information

  • Control - First Nations can seek control over all aspects of the research cycles that impact them

  • Access - First Nations must have access to data and information about themselves and their communities, regardless of where this data is stored. Additionally, First Nations have the right to manage and decide on access to their data.

  • Possession -  First Nations retain physical control of the data

Principles of Ethical Métis Research

▶ Principles of Ethical Métis Research

The Principles of Ethical Métis Research, established by the Métis Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO), provide a framework to guide research that respects Métis values, traditions, and self-determination. These principles should be considered as a starting point for engaging Métis communities in ethical research, rather than enforceable rules. The NAHO identifies six principles of ethical Métis research:

  • Reciprocal Relationships - Building relationships between researchers and communities, while sharing responsibility and benefits, and learning from each other

  • “Respect for” -  Individual & collective; autonomy; identity; personal values; gender; confidentiality; practices & protocols

  • Safe and Inclusive Environments - Research should be safe for all - youth & Elders; gender and sexual identity; aboriginality; and balance individual and collective

  • Recognize Diversity - Within & between Métis communities; in worldviews; in values & beliefs; in geographic orientation & in politics

  • “Research Should” - Be relevant; benefit all; accurate; accountable; responsible; acknowledge contribution; & protect Métis cultural knowledge

  • Métis Context - Understand history, values, & knowledge; advance Métis methodology & include Métis experts; straddle worldviews; & insider-outsider perspective

National Inuit Strategy on Research

▶ National Inuit Strategy on Research

The National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR) targets governments, academia, and research institutions and identifies areas for partnership and action that can strengthen the impact, efficacy, and usefulness of Inuit Nunangat research for Inuit.

The NISR identifies five priority areas to advance Inuit Research:

  • Priority Area 1: Advance Inuit Governance in Research 

  • Priority Area 2: Enhance the Ethical Conduct of Research 

  • Priority Area 3: Align Funding with Inuit Research Priorities

  • Priority Area 4: Ensure Inuit Access, Ownership, and Control over Data and Information

  • Priority Area 5: Build Capacity in Inuit Nunangat Research

Learn More

The Council of Yukon First Nations serve the needs of First Nations within the Yukon and the MacKenzie Delta. The council's mandate is to serve as a political advocacy organization for Yukon First Nations holding traditional territories, to protect their rights. titles, and interests. 

The workshop describes and defines data-sharing or information-sharing agreements, outlines key considerations in choosing when these should potentially be contractual or non-contractual in nature, and provides an annotated outline and examples of these agreements.

This workshop provides practical templates and tips associated with ethically gathering and presenting community engagement data, with specific focus on consent statements, disclaimers, analysis processes, reporting products, and overarching policy and guidelines.

A platform for sharing tools and experiences related to research involving Indigenous and local communities.