Paper by Marcia Langton, Robert McLellan, Jennifer Fewster, and Kristen Smith: “The Framework for the Governance of Indigenous Data has been developed to guide ethical, inclusive, and culturally grounded data practices across the Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Indigenous Research Data Commons (HASS and Indigenous RDC).
It responds to long-standing calls from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for greater control over data that affects their lives, lands, cultures, and futures. The Framework is the result of extensive consultation, co-design, and collaboration with Indigenous data custodians, researchers, institutions, and policymakers. It is intended to be adopted across all HASS and Indigenous RDC activities.
This Framework affirms that Indigenous data governance is essential to Indigenous self-determination. It defines Indigenous data as information generated by, about, or for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, encompassing cultural, ecological, linguistic, genealogical, and community-generated knowledge. The Framework recognises that all data – whether held by governments, institutions, or communities – has implications for Indigenous peoples and must be governed in ways that respect Indigenous rights, laws, and relational worldviews.
The Framework is structured around three interrelated components: a Governance Model, a set of Governance Guidelines, and a Monitoring and Accountability structure. The Governance Model identifies 5 foundational elements:
- Recognition of Indigenous assets
- Partnership
- Building capabilities
- Self-determination
- Inclusive data ecosystem.
These elements underpin the Framework’s guidelines and practices, which provide actionable strategies for institutions and communities to embed Indigenous governance across the data lifecycle.
The Framework is grounded in the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics) and complements the FAIR Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable)…(More)”.
