Jariah Callado
By implementing Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles into chemical and environmental engineering research we can address historical harms, promote ethical inquiry, and support outcomes that strengthen Indigenous knowledge systems. Historically scientific research has treated Indigenous communities as subjects of study rather than partners thus, creating harm and mistrust.This history has shown us the urgent need for research frameworks that respect Indigenous ways of knowing, cultural protocols, and relationships. Implementing Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Data Governance frameworks include utilizing the CARE, FAIR, TRUST, and SHIFT principles which will help protect a tribe’s cultural knowledge, ensure community control over data, and support research practices that are rooted in responsibility and reciprocity. The Níhí Environmental Engineering Biogeochemistry Laboratory shows how these principles can be applied in environmental science and engineering disciplines. As a Native Woman led research lab in higher academia we use Indigenous Data Sovereignty informed protocols for our ecological monitoring, sample collection, analytical techniques, and data management. These practices ensure that Indigenous communities maintain autonomy over the collection, ownership, and application of data related to that of their lands, cultures, and resources. By incorporating the CARE, FAIR, TRUST, and SHIFT principles we are able to create research that is ethical, transparent, and aligned with community needs. All in all future work should focus on co-designing clear data governance frameworks with Indigenous partners and expanding cultural competency training for researchers as these steps can help build stronger collaborations and ensure that research not only benefits western science but Indigenous communities as well.