Implementing Indigenous Data Governance for Indigenous Data Sharing and Access in Australia

Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) is a global Indigenous developed and led philosophy asserting Indigenous rights in data. In Australia, an Anglo-colonised state, IDSov has increasingly been identified and communicated as a high priority for governments. All governments have committed to supporting ‘data sharing’ through a National Partnership Agreement for Closing the Gap by providing access to data and information at a regional level for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. To ensure that the data agenda benefits Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities requires commitment and systems change in those state agencies and embedding Indigenous Data Governance (IDGov) structures and processes to guide Indigenous data priorities, data sharing from the state to communities and state actors facilitating access to Indigenous data for Indigenous communities.

The Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty Collective together with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the ACT Health Directorate have embarked on a process to embed IDSov through IDGov. This presentation will share the IDGov development and implementation processes of: (1) Socialising IDSov and IDGov concepts with community, the ACT Health Directorate, including the executive, (2) Undertaking priority setting and data mapping exercise, (3) Developing an IDGov structure including policy and procedures and (4) Mapping the system to evaluate the systems change.

The project may act as an example for other state agencies across the Australia to embed IDGov structures within their systems. The result will ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can take control of their data for their self-determination and nation (re)building.