As part of our mandate, FNIGC is proud to support and promote our partners across the country who share our vision that every First Nation will achieve data sovereignty in alignment with its distinct world view. A great example of this is the British Columbia First Nations’ Data Governance Initiative (BCFNDGI).
Founded in 2013, the BCFNDGI is a collaboration of B.C. First Nations to collectively get access to the capacity and resources they need to better govern their own data. Led by long-time Data Warrior Gwen Phillips, the Initiative was founded on the principle that the scarcity of quality data was a barrier to First Nations self-government, and that there was a need to create a comprehensive province-wide approach to First Nations data governance.
A citizen of the Ktunaxa Nation, Gwen has worked for the Ktunaxa Nation Council for nearly four decades. She is also a member of FNIGC’s Board of Directors and a B.C. First Nations’ Data Governance Initiative champion. Recognizing the importance of knowledge sharing, the BCFNDGI recently produced a video that provides a convincing, plain-language introduction to First Nations data sovereignty, data governance, and information management.
The 11-minute video, which was produced and narrated by Gwen, explores how data sovereignty can be a tool for self-government, and how First Nations-led data collection provides governments with the information they need to make sound decisions that address the distinct needs and priorities of their Nations.
Click here to watch the video.
Visit the BCFNDGI website to learn more about their data sovereignty efforts.