Indigenous data and CARE principles

The use of Indigenous data (from both Australia and other First Nations people) carries with it particular responsibilities in how data is defined, collected, analysed, used and access provided to that data both during and after a research project has ceased.  The University Indigenous Research Office has a number of resources to assist researchers undertaking Indigenous research to ensure these responsibilities are understood and complied with.

Indigenous data sovereignty

Indigenous Data Sovereignty is the right of Indigenous peoples to govern the collection, ownership and application of data regarding Indigenous communities, peoples, lands and resources. The enactment mechanism of Indigenous data governance is founded upon two central principles: the rights of Indigenous nations over data about them, regardless of where it is held and by whom; and the right to access the data that Indigenous people require to support nation rebuilding. This includes the right to maintain, control and protect cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions including all intellectual property (IP).

Protocols and research guidelines:

Data regarding Indigenous people will sometimes require a mediated access level, requiring potential custodians to meet specific conditions. Researchers, data managers and data governance specialists need to respect different understandings between Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures and manage data information and knowledge in line with these cultural differences.

CARE data principles:

The CARE data principles acknowledge that the use of indigenous data should take into account the communities the data was collected from and provide a tangible benefit to those communities. The CARE principles are complementary to the FAIR data principles. The CARE principles are:

• Collective benefit for inclusive development and innovation, improved governance and citizen engagement, and equitable outcomes;
• Authority to control, recognising rights and interests, data for governance, governance of data;
• Responsibility for positive relationships, expanding capability and capacity and Indigenous languages and worldviews; and
• Ethics for minimising harm and maximising benefit, justice and future use.

For more information on the CARE principles, please visit the Global Indigenous Data Alliance’s CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance website.

General resources:

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies’ ethical research guidelines.

Global Indigenous Data Alliance

For more information about Indigenous Data please contact the Indigenous Research Office at Indigenous@monash.edu.