Indigenous Data Sovereignty Starts With a Deadly Data Strategy
Modern Australia has greatly benefited from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge. This knowledge, which informs economic opportunities to environmental solutions, is widely shared and applied across various sectors. In tourism, we hear Dreamtime stories that bring the land’s history to life; in national parks, we find plaques sharing localised ecological information. We experience it in fine-dining restaurants, where we get to enjoy seasonal native superfoods and see it appear in skincare–with Kakadu plum infused products. Traditional fire management practices, which consider weather, plants, and animals, have reshaped our fire control methods, and Indigenous-led knowledge and practices are informing new approaches to water management.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen a number of encouraging examples of equitable benefit-sharing when traditional knowledge is applied, likely influenced by the growing conversations around the ethical use of traditional knowledge. However, we cannot overlook the historical misuse of this data being collected, held, and applied by non-Indigenous governments, institutions, and corporations without proper acknowledgment or compensation. From where we sit, we feel these opportunities rightly belong to Indigenous Australians because they utilise Indigenous knowledge.
What is Indigenous Data Sovereignty?
At its core, sovereignty is about self-determination and self-governance–a concept that can apply to individuals and entire communities. Indigenous data sovereignty (IDS) isn’t new, though it has gained more attention in the public discourse over the last decade. Early expressions of IDS, as outlined in Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Towards an Agenda, can be seen in Indigenous oral traditions, which include a complex set of rights and responsibilities concerning the use of community-held information. IDS emphasises that Indigenous communities should control data about their land, people, and resources, determining who can access and apply this data.
In a world where information is one of the most valuable resources, IDS is essential to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities pursuing self-determination and governance. If Indigenous data sovereignty is the goal, then a strong data strategy is the path to achieving it.
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know. Until You Do.
Without a data strategy, it’s difficult to know what data to hold and manage, to understand who has access to it, and to know how it’s processed, applied, and protected. A strong data strategy defines all these aspects, providing a roadmap for maintaining governance and maximising its value.
While data strategies benefit all types of organisations, they are particularly crucial for Registered Native Title Bodies Corporates (RNTBCs) and Prescribed Bodies Corporates (PBCs) that juggle mass amounts of ecological and cultural data. Restoration projects, feral animal tracking, pastoral leases, sacred sites, and more, all require careful tracking. Without a strategy, it’s easy for this information to be lost, duplicated, or overlooked, wasting valuable time and resources.
Making Your Data Useful
Having data isn’t enough–you need to be able to understand it and use it effectively. One of the best ways to achieve this is through geospatial mapping. Imagine you’re a PBC evaluating two new proposals: one for a pastoral lease and another for a wind farm. One of your goals over the next five years is to boost economic opportunities for your community–so you’re interested. At the same time, you know your ranger teams manage areas with endangered species, and you also have numerous cultural sites that require protection.
A strong data strategy allows you to turn this information into a digital map, layering data that covers each of these responsibilities. By visualising your data on a map, you can easily identify suitable locations for the wind farm and pastoral lease that won’t conflict with your native title obligations. It also strengthens your position in negotiations by highlighting the areas of your Country that offer the best potential. When all this information is in one place, it serves as a source of truth for your community, enabling you to make confident, informed decisions that serve the best interest of your members.
A good data strategy offers more than just economic benefits; mapping cultural data helps preserve community traditions and history. This might include documenting natural resources–such as bush medicine locations and their properties–along with biographies of Elders, language and place names.
Creating a Data Strategy: Where to Start
The first step is recognising the need for a data strategy and gaining support from all decision-makers in your organisation. Consensus is essential, as successful implementation requires a collective effort.
Next, identify your goals: What do you want your data to achieve? Start jotting down ideas to clarify your vision.
This is where things can get a bit more challenging–you’ll need to audit your current data practices. We suggest focusing on the following areas during the audit:
People: Who is involved in data collection, management, and decision-making?
Processes: What workflows and practices are in place for managing data?
Data: What data do you currently have, what data are you collecting, and what additional data do you need?
Technology: What tools and systems are in use, and are they sufficient for your needs?
Once you’ve identified your goals and capabilities, you can begin creating a plan to address any gaps. This roadmap will guide you in implementing a deadly data strategy, ensuring you maximise the value of your data.
Do you have data but aren’t sure how to use it? Our team can help you make sense of it. We’ll work with you to develop a data strategy and processes that align with your organisation's goals.