Advancing Indigenous data governance through a shared understanding in Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region

In the Canadian Arctic, we posit that locally-relevant Indigenous data governance frameworks are necessary in light of a paucity of guiding practices and policies for environmental researchers working in partnership with communities. To centre data governance decision-making in a community and to su...

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Main Authors: Allison K. Drake, Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Tony Green, Jody Illasiak, Bill S. Ruben, Candace Ruben, Lawrence Ruben, Karen M. Dunmall
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Environmental Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1521494/full
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author Allison K. Drake
Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee
Tony Green
Jody Illasiak
Bill S. Ruben
Candace Ruben
Lawrence Ruben
Karen M. Dunmall
author_facet Allison K. Drake
Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee
Tony Green
Jody Illasiak
Bill S. Ruben
Candace Ruben
Lawrence Ruben
Karen M. Dunmall
author_sort Allison K. Drake
collection DOAJ
description In the Canadian Arctic, we posit that locally-relevant Indigenous data governance frameworks are necessary in light of a paucity of guiding practices and policies for environmental researchers working in partnership with communities. To centre data governance decision-making in a community and to support Indigenous self-determination as affirmed in federal commitments, Fisheries and Oceans Canada researchers and the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee (Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region) co-developed a data governance Statement of Shared Understanding for Traditional Knowledge Documentation specific to an interview project. We detail the steps and dialogue that characterized the creation of this statement over several months, so that others may build from these efforts when appropriate. Second, we highlight five emergent considerations that may strengthen future data governance efforts and inform policy, including: community and project context, the changing digital landscape, individual and collective knowledge protections, planned project outputs, and confidentiality and anonymity nuances. We offer these insights to advance evolving Indigenous data governance conversations, initiatives, and policies in institutional and community spaces.
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spelling doaj-art-d5e8fa44897b40bebff4096be2b834442025-08-20T03:02:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2025-03-011310.3389/fenvs.2025.15214941521494Advancing Indigenous data governance through a shared understanding in Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement RegionAllison K. Drake0Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee1Tony Green2Jody Illasiak3Bill S. Ruben4Candace Ruben5Lawrence Ruben6Karen M. Dunmall7Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, CanadaPaulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Paulatuk, NT, CanadaPaulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Paulatuk, NT, CanadaPaulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Paulatuk, NT, CanadaPaulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Paulatuk, NT, CanadaPaulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Paulatuk, NT, CanadaPaulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee, Paulatuk, NT, CanadaFisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, CanadaIn the Canadian Arctic, we posit that locally-relevant Indigenous data governance frameworks are necessary in light of a paucity of guiding practices and policies for environmental researchers working in partnership with communities. To centre data governance decision-making in a community and to support Indigenous self-determination as affirmed in federal commitments, Fisheries and Oceans Canada researchers and the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee (Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region) co-developed a data governance Statement of Shared Understanding for Traditional Knowledge Documentation specific to an interview project. We detail the steps and dialogue that characterized the creation of this statement over several months, so that others may build from these efforts when appropriate. Second, we highlight five emergent considerations that may strengthen future data governance efforts and inform policy, including: community and project context, the changing digital landscape, individual and collective knowledge protections, planned project outputs, and confidentiality and anonymity nuances. We offer these insights to advance evolving Indigenous data governance conversations, initiatives, and policies in institutional and community spaces.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1521494/fullIndigenous data governanceInuvialuitco-developmentshared understandingpolicyPaulatuk
spellingShingle Allison K. Drake
Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee
Tony Green
Jody Illasiak
Bill S. Ruben
Candace Ruben
Lawrence Ruben
Karen M. Dunmall
Advancing Indigenous data governance through a shared understanding in Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Frontiers in Environmental Science
Indigenous data governance
Inuvialuit
co-development
shared understanding
policy
Paulatuk
title Advancing Indigenous data governance through a shared understanding in Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region
title_full Advancing Indigenous data governance through a shared understanding in Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region
title_fullStr Advancing Indigenous data governance through a shared understanding in Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region
title_full_unstemmed Advancing Indigenous data governance through a shared understanding in Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region
title_short Advancing Indigenous data governance through a shared understanding in Paulatuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region
title_sort advancing indigenous data governance through a shared understanding in paulatuk inuvialuit settlement region
topic Indigenous data governance
Inuvialuit
co-development
shared understanding
policy
Paulatuk
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1521494/full
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