Global Indigenous Data Alliance

CARE principles for Indigenous Data Governance

Rethinking Sámi research data handling

The GIDSov Conference 2025 marks ten years of Indigenous data sovereignty — and in Sápmi too, research data must be protected and remain independent, says researcher Susanna Siri. 

I april 2025 the GIDSov Conference 2025 (Global Indigenous Data Sovereignty) took place in Canberra, Australia. The conference marks a decade of work for Indigenous data sovereignty and brings together Indigenous peoples from around the world to discuss development, challenges, and future prospects related to the management of research data.

The Sámi branch of the GIDA network (Global Indigenous Data Alliance) is co-organizing the event, and Susanna Siri, head of the network, is one of the speakers. She emphasizes the importance of Indigenous peoples having control over their own research data:

– It’s time to rethink how we handle Sámi research data. In an age where data is highly valuable, it’s crucial that Indigenous peoples have the power to decide how their research information is used. We need to strengthen awareness of data sovereignty in our own regions and work, says Siri.

Over the past ten years, active efforts have been made to develop principles for the responsible use of Indigenous research data, known as the CARE principles.

The Global Indigenous Data Alliance was formed to promote these principles.

Siri will took part in a panel discussion on how different regions approach the governance of Indigenous data and the goals for the next ten years.

– In Sápmi, we’ve had research institutions for a long time, but data management is often tied to universities or Norwegian institutions. Now we need to discuss how Sámi research data can remain independent, Siri explains.

Several representatives from Sápmi will participate: the Centre for Sámi Health Research, including Ann Ragnhild Broderstad, leader of the SAMINOR Study, and Rune Fjellheim, who will speak on behalf of the Saami Council.

Searvva konferánsii – guhkiduvvon áigemearri sáddet abstrávtta

Sádde sisa abstrávtta Global Indigenous Data Sovereignty 2025 konferánsii, áigemearri lea 31. beaivvi ođđajagimánus.

Mo doalahit eamiálbmogiid dutkandieđuin sorjjasmeahttumin? 10 jagi áigi álggahedje dán čuolmma čalmmustahttet IDsov (Indigenous Data Sovereignty ) dáhpáhusas Austalias. Dál dollo konferánsa doppe gos bargu álggi.    

IDsov (Indigenous Data sovereignty) vuođđun lea eamiálbmogiid ja našuvnnaid vuoigatvuohta bearráigeahččat dieđuid háhkama, eaiggátvuođa ja geavaheami sin álbmogiid, guovlluid, eallinvugiid ja luondduriggodagaid birra. 1. ja 2. beaivi konferánssas lea várrejuvvon eamiálbmogiidda juogadit máhtu ja maid vásahusaid mo bargat doalahit eamiálbmot dutkandieđuid sorjjasmeahttumin.

GIDA-Sápmi lea okta dain fierpmádagain mii leat čuožžilan dan rájes ja mii maid searvat konferánsii. Mii sávvat ahte ollugat sámis servet vai nanusmahttit máhtolašvuođa ovddidit dutkandieđuid sorjjasmeahttunvuođa iežamet guovlluin ja bargguin.

Call for Abstracts, extended deadline 31. January

We are looking for presentation and poster submissions for the following themes:

1. IDGov regulations, policy, standards and tools
2. IDGov as a mechanism for keeping Indigenous data sovereign
3. Working together to share and collaborate for IDGov
4. Indigenous approaches to navigating the Nation state
5. IDSov and IDGov education, training and awareness

Read more on the topics

Special Issue - Indigenous research data governance in Sápmi

In January 2023, the First International Conference on Sámi Research Data Governance in Tromsø highlighted the importance of implementing the CARE principles in managing indigenous research data in the nordic countries. This special issue captures the discussions, emphasizing how these principles empower Sámi and other Indigenous peoples to manage their data effectively.

READ PUBLICATION: Indigenous research data governance in Sápmi,  Acta Borealia, Volume 41 Issue 2: 

This special issue follows the First International Conference on Sámi Research Data Governance held in Tromsø in January 2023, organized by the GIDA-Sápmi network. The conference focused on sharing knowledge about Indigenous data governance in the Nordic countries.

Indigenous data governance allows Indigenous communities to manage data collection and use, ensuring it meets their needs and supports effective policy-making. The conference highlighted the importance of the CARE principles in managing Sámi and Indigenous research data.

The GIDA-Sápmi network, part of the Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA), focuses on managing Sámi research data and implementing the CARE principles. These principles, inspired by ethical research guidelines from Indigenous communities in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, aim to ensure ethical data use.

The network explores how these principles can be applied within Sápmi to manage research data effectively, covering its collection, storage, usage, and reusability. 

We hope this special issue highlights the importance of adopting CARE principles at institutional levels.

We thank the keynote speakers from the First International Conference on Sámi Research Data Governance, including Erin Corston and Gonzague Guéranger from Canada's First Nations Information Governance Centre, and Donna Lyons, who have written about recent progress at FNIGC. We also appreciate Dr. Tahu Kukutai from the University of Waikato and Dr. Stephanie Russo Carroll from the University of Arizona, who shared insights on Indigenous data governance and the global application of CARE principles. Their contributions demonstrate the varying stages of Indigenous data sovereignty across different nations.