CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance

The CARE Principles - and the other resources available on the Global Indigenous Digital Alliance (GIDA) website - can help you to affirm Indigenous rights to self-determination through data practices that address complex issues related to privacy, future use, and collective interests. GIDA developed the CARE Principles to prioritise Indigenous rights, interests, and control over their data and knowledge, and to ensure that Indigenous data is used in ways that align with Indigenous values and aspirations. Existing principles within the open data movement (such as the FAIR Principles) primarily focus on characteristics of data that will facilitate increased data sharing among entities while ignoring power differentials and historical contexts. In response, the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Sovereignty were created to complement standards like the FAIR principles by addressing historical power imbalances and promoting genuine Indigenous leadership in data stewardship. This people-centered framework emphasises Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics to ensure that data use reinforces the rights of Indigenous Peoples to engage in decision-making in accordance with Indigenous values and collective interests.