Indigenous Research and Data Management in Electronic Archives

Abstract

This chapter introduces a framework for indigenous research and data management in electronic archives that aligns with indigenous worldviews and practices. It discusses indigenous communities' challenges in owning and controlling their data and the need for a culturally relevant framework for managing indigenous data in electronic archives. The proposed eight-step framework emphasises community control, data sovereignty, and ethical data management practices; and includes key components such as community engagement, informed consent, and culturally relevant metadata standards. Best practices for data sharing and partnership building with non-indigenous institutions are also discussed, as well as the steps for implementing the framework and the role of stakeholders in the process. Evaluation metrics for measuring the framework's success are proposed. The chapter concludes by emphasising the importance of community control and ethical data management practices in preserving and protecting indigenous cultural heritage and identity in electronic archives.