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Research Data Management

Introduction

Indigenous data are those which are derived from research conducted for, by, about, and/or with Indigenous individuals, communities, and/or Nations. 

Research Ethics

 

At Douglas College, all research involving human participants must be conducted in accordance with the principles laid out by the Tri-Agencies' Panel on Research Ethics (TCPS 2 2022). These principles acknowledge that 

"First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities have unique histories, cultures, and traditions. They also share some core values such as reciprocity – the obligation to give something back in return for gifts received – which they advance as the necessary basis for relationships that can benefit both Indigenous and research communities" (Panel on Research Ethics. TCPS 2 (2022). Chapter 9: Preamble).

 

TCPS 2 (2022)

 

The Tri-Agencies Panel on Research Ethics (aka, TCPS 2) further affirms that research conducted for, by, about, and/or with Indigenous individuals, communities, territories or Nations should be:
 

  • designed in partnership with the community from the outset.  Researchers should be aware that every community has unique protocols with respect to working with external researchers - and should not assume that past practice will be appropriate or relevant to a different community.
     
  • planned with consideration for community benefit as well as benefit to individual participants.
     
  • "premised on respectful relationships ...(and) collaboration and engagement between researchers and participants" (Panel on Research Ethics. TCPS2 2022: Preamble)."
     

 

FAIR Principles & Indigenous Data

FAIR Principles & Indigenous Data

 

"Existing principles within the open data movement (e.g. FAIR: findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) primarily focus on characteristics of data that will facilitate increased data sharing among entities while ignoring power differentials and historical contexts.

The emphasis on greater data sharing alone creates a tension for Indigenous Peoples who are also asserting greater control over the application and use of Indigenous data and Indigenous Knowledge for collective benefit" (Global Indigenous Data Alliance. CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance).

 

As a result of the aforementioned tensions, The CARE principles were created in order to support Indigenous data governance efforts and to ensure that a set of principles exist that are "people and purpose-oriented, reflecting the crucial role of data in advancing Indigenous innovation and self-determination." (GIDA. Care Principles for Indigenous Data Governance).
 

  • Examples of "collective benefit" include the right of Indigenous Peoples and Nations to derive financial and other tangible advantages arising from the collection/creation of their own data.
     
  • Another important aim of the CARE Principles and other Indigenous-led data movements is to ensure that research by, for, about, and with Indigenous Peoples respects their unique histories, values, and traditional ways of sharing knowledge.

 

To learn more about CARE and other community principles see the box below.

 

Community Principles

The following have been developed to guide researchers in ensuring that Indigenous Peoples benefit from the data derived from their participation in research projects.

It's important to note, however, that none of these principles have been developed as a generic approach.  Each community is distinct, and has different customs and protocols for working with external researchers, so researchers should approach new communities with this in mind.

 

Traditional Knowledge Labels

 

Traditional Knowledge Labels are used by Indigenous communities to make clear how their traditional knowledge may be accessed and/or used by others in ways that are consistent with "existing community rules, governance and protocols for using, sharing and circulating knowledge and data."  

  • The website for the Sq’éwlets People utilizes Traditional Knowledge labels and has an excellent explanation of how their labels were chosen and how they are used on the site.

     

CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance
 

The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance are designed to complement the FAIR principles and take into account the current and historic power imbalances between researchers and Indigenous communities. 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 people have the right and authority to control their data.
  • Responsibility – Researchers working with Indigenous Peoples have a responsibility to support Indigenous Peoples' rights.
  • Ethics – “Indigenous Peoples’ rights and well being should be the primary concern at all stages of the data life cycle and across the data ecosystem.”
     

See the Global Indigenous Data Alliance web site to learn more about the CARE Principals.

See also: GIDA's Indigenous Peoples' Rights in Data

 

The First Nations Principles of OCAP® 
 

The OCAP® Principles of data governance outline how to interact with First Nations data. OCAP® stands for:

  • Ownership – First Nations communities or groups own their data collectively
  • Control – First Nations communities can control all aspects of the research cycle that impact them directly.
  • Access – First Nations retain access to the data, regardless of where it is held.
  • Possession – First Nations retain physical control of the data.

OCAP® certifications are available through the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC). OCAP® is a registered trademark of the FNIGC.

 

Negotiating Research Relationships with Inuit Communities:  from the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Nunavut Research Institute, this is an online guide for researchers (PDF).

 

Principles of Ethical Métis Research: from the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO), this is an online guide for researchers (PDF).

 

Learn More

Important Resources

 

TCPS 2: CORE-2022 (Course on Research Ethics):  Module 9 of this course covers research involving Indigenous Peoples and must be completed by all Douglas College researchers engaging in research with human subjects before submitting an application to the REB for approval. 

 

Indigenous Research: (SHHRC)
 

Definition of Indigenous Research: (SHHRC)
 

Indigenous Data Governance: Indigenous Research Support Initiative (IRSI)
 

First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC)
 

BC First Nations' Data Governance Initiative (BCFNDGI)