IHE58-Indigenous Data Sovereignty – What it is, why it matters...

Indigenous Nations around the world are working to assert their rights and responsibilities in relation to data that is collected from them, about them, and about their cultures and territories.  These rights to maintain, control, protect and develop their own data, are foundations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP).  Increasingly in Canada, they are being recognized by governments and other institutions through documents such as the First Nation Data Sovereignty Strategy, the National Inuit Strategy on Research, and other regional and community-level initiatives.  This panel discussion will bring together representatives from Indigenous Governments and Indigenous Organizations from across the North to share what they are doing to work towards data sovereignty for the Nations/Regions/Communities they represent and work for, why it is important, and what the research community can do to support these efforts.  The panel invites anyone who is working with data in the North to attend, and will encourage open conversation and reflection on the current state of data governance, the values that underpin data governance frameworks, and practical examples of both challenges and successes in the implementation of Indigenous Data Sovereignty projects.

Moderator: Kristeen McTavish, Council of Yukon First Nations

Panelists:

Mathieya Alatini, Council of Yukon First Nations
Mona Belleau, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
James Delorme, Dene Nation
Michelle Saunders, Nunatsiavut Government