Kimberly Blackhorse
Jenifer Lewis
It is vital to have Indigenous voices and Tribal representation in the room as data governance is being discussed at all levels of state government. State agencies are often carrying out or implementing the statutory expectations as a result of legislation. Understanding the needs and expectations of Tribal partners and establishing data governance mechanisms will result in meaningful and effective policies that meet the needs of the state and Tribes. In Colorado, Tribal representation across state agencies has supported Indigenous data governance principles to be implemented in MOUs to protect Tribal data by acknowledging and adhering to Indigenous data governance principles. This representation allows the state departments to be aware of and make the progressive move to uphold Tribal authority, which allows thoughtful control of their own data within state program data management systems with respect to the government-to-government relationships we share.