The Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance and its partners are hosting two webinars in April 2025 in an effort to enhance the understanding of Indigenous data practices among researchers. These sessions aim to provide foundational insights into integrating Indigenous data rights and best practices in academic research.
Registration is now open for both webinars. Join us for these important discussions to enhance your understanding of Indigenous data governance and the role of Indigenous librarianship in promoting cultural sovereignty.
Why Research Teams Need an Archivist
The first webinar will be held on April 14, 2025, from 4 to 5 PM PST time. This international-focused session will feature a panel of researchers and GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) practitioners who will discuss Indigenous data in research practices. With Indigenous archivists advocating for data rights for decades, the discussion will highlight best practices within GLAM and offer guidance for researchers seeking to implement these principles in their work.
Featured Speakers
Dr Rose Barrowcliffe is a Butchulla postdoctoral research fellow in the Centre for Critical Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University, a member of the Global Centre for Indigenous Futures, the Indigenous Archives Collective, and an executive member of the Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty Collective. Rose’s work and research examines the representation of Indigenous peoples and the enactment of Indigenous rights in collecting institutions.
Dr Kirsten Thorpe (Worimi, Port Stephens), Associate Professor, is a Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellow at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education & Research, University of Technology Sydney. Kirsten leads the Indigenous Archives and Data Stewardship Hub. Kirsten is an invited member of the ICA Expert Group on Indigenous Matters, an elected member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Indigenous Matters Standing Committee, and a co-founder of the Indigenous Archives Collective. Kirsten is also an executive member of the Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty Collective.
Tracy Maniapoto descends from the tribal nations of Ngā Wairiki, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou in Aotearoa New Zealand.) Having worked across academic and public libraries for several years Tracy contributed to New Zealand’s BLIS undergraduate programme as curriculum writer, then Lecturer at the Open Polytechnic. She also taught and developed courses within New Zealand’s post-graduate library studies programme at Victoria University (2018-2024). Tracy holds a MIS LIBS with merit (VUW) and is nearing completion of a PhD in Māori Studies (Massey University). Tracy’s doctoral research explores Māori language revitalisation experiences in libraries, archives, and museums. She currently works at Te Kura Mātai Rorohiko the School of Computer Science at Waipapa Taumata Rau the University of Auckland.
The Right to Know: Connecting Indigenous Librarianship to Cultural Sovereignty
A US-focused webinar is scheduled for April 24, 2025, from 11 AM to 12 PM AZ time. In this second session, the panel will explore the relationship between Indigenous librarianship and Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov). Attendees will learn about how Indigenous librarianship intersects with the Protocols of Native American Archival Materials (PNAAM) and the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance. As conversations around Indigenous data governance gain momentum in academia, these webinars provide a critical opportunity for both Native and non-Native researchers to deepen their understanding and foster respectful collaboration with Indigenous communities.
Featured Speakers
Alexander Soto (Tohono O’odham Nation) is director of the Labriola National American Indian Data Center at Arizona State University (ASU) Library. Under his leadership, the Labriola Center has developed and implemented culturally responsive library services, expanded its personnel seven-fold, and re-established its physical locations as culturally safe spaces for Indigenous library users. Alex co-authored ASU Library’s first land acknowledgement statement, is the recipient of the Society of American Archivists 2022 Archival Innovator Award, and recently was awarded a $1 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for “Firekeepers: Building Archival Data Sovereignty through Indigenous Memory Keeping.” He also is the treasurer for the Arizona Humanities Board of Directors and is an American Indian Library Association executive board member. Alex’s journey to librarianship comes after years of success as a touring hip-hop musician and activist.
Vina Begay is the Assistant Librarian & Archivist for the Labriola National American Indian Data Center with Arizona State University. Vina serves as the Chair for Native American Archive Section (NAAS) and a committee member for the Archival Repatriation Committee under the Society of American Archivist. Coming from a strong Diné Traditional upbringing, Vina has dedicated her career in advocating and the implementation of the Protocols of Native American Archival Materials within western institutions to ensure proper care and management of Indigenous Information of traditional knowledge. Additionally, Vina has served as Tribal Archivist consultant for Tribal communities in assistance with establishing Indigenous Archival Centers within their community, including developing archival practices tailored to the Tribe’s cultural beliefs, practices, and governance structure.
Jewel Cummins is a PhD Candidate in American Indian Studies, minoring in Information, at the University of Arizona. She is a Graduate Research Assistant with the Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance and the Native Nations Institute under the supervision of Dr. Stephanie Russo Carroll. Jewel provides an information sciences perspective on projects involving agriculture, curriculum development, survey designs, and Tribal-user repository hub development.
These upcoming webinars are co-hosted by the Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance, Indigenous Data Exchange (IDX), Indigelab Network (IN), Equity for Indigenous Research and Innovation Coordinating Hub (ENRICH). The Centre for Global Indigenous Futures will co-host “Why Research Teams Need an Archivist,” and The Labriola National American Indian Data Center will co-host “The Right to Know: Connecting Indigenous Librarianship to Cultural Sovereignty”