The Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA) advances Indigenous Data Sovereignty, recognizing that the current movement toward open data and open science does not fully engage with Indigenous Peoples’ rights and interests. Existing principles within the open data movement—such as FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable)—primarily focus on characteristics that facilitate data sharing among entities while ignoring power differentials and historical contexts. GIDA developed the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics), which are people and purpose-oriented, reflecting the crucial role of data in advancing Indigenous innovation and self-determination. These principles complement FAIR by encouraging open data movements to consider both people and purpose in their advocacy and pursuits.
Why It Matters: The emphasis on greater data sharing alone creates tension for Indigenous Peoples who are asserting greater control over the application and use of Indigenous data and Indigenous Knowledge for collective benefit. By developing the CARE Principles, GIDA addresses the right of Indigenous Peoples to create value from their data in ways grounded in Indigenous worldviews and to realize opportunities within the knowledge economy. The framework recognizes that data governance for Indigenous communities requires attention to power, history, and purpose—not just technical interoperability—ensuring that open science advances Indigenous self-determination rather than perpetuating extraction.
