Data is more than just numbers and statistics; it is a powerful tool that shapes our understanding of the past, the present, and the future. For First Nations communities, having access to and ownership over our data is essential to make informed decisions, preserve our traditions, and advocate for our rights. Whether it’s health, education, housing, or our cultural ways, managing our data allows us to accurately represent our stories, reflect our values, and guide future generations.
Health Data
Access to our own health data means we can track health trends, respond to health crises, and advocate for resources tailored to our needs. For example, data on chronic conditions like diabetes and rates of preventable illnesses allow us to work towards targeted health initiatives that support long-term wellness. When we are in control of this data, we ensure it reflects our unique circumstances, free from outside interpretations that often miss the context and depth of our experiences.
Population and Enumeration
Understanding our population size and demographics through enumeration data helps us accurately represent our communities to the government and other entities. This data has implications in almost every area of life—from funding for education and healthcare to infrastructure and housing. With accurate population data, we can confidently advocate for fair and meaningful resources for our communities, ensuring all members are counted and supported.
Education and Graduation Rates
Monitoring education data, including graduation rates, allows us to assess progress, address educational gaps, and celebrate our successes. By managing our own education data, we can highlight achievements and identify areas where additional support may be needed. This helps strengthen the educational foundations in our communities and empowers our youth to achieve their full potential.
Water Quality Data
Safe drinking water is a fundamental right and many First Nations believe water has spirit, yet too many of our communities face challenges with water safety. Access to water quality data allows us to advocate for safer infrastructure, while directly managing this data gives us control over monitoring and addressing water issues before they become crises. We deserve to know, firsthand, the quality of the water in our communities.
Housing Data
Housing data provides insight into the state of homes within our communities, including the need for repairs and other issues affecting well-being. From a traditional cultural perspective, the “home” and those who frequent the home can also tell us whether families are still exercising traditional kinship ways of knowing and child-rearing methods. When we collect and analyze our own housing data, we can advocate for appropriate resources and housing programs tailored to our needs and preferences, ensuring our homes reflect our values and support our families.
Cultural Data
Our cultural practices, such as fishing, trapping, kinship, and protocols for ceremonies, carry generations of knowledge and teachings. Documenting and preserving data around these practices allows us to safeguard them for future generations, maintaining their authenticity and connection to our values. Cultural data is unique and deeply personal; it should be managed within our communities, ensuring that it is respected, accurately interpreted, and available only in ways that honour its significance.
Language Preservation
Language is the heart of our identity. Our ways of knowing, laws, and teachings are embedded in our languages. Data on language use, speaker demographics, and revitalization efforts are critical for maintaining and restoring our languages. Collecting our own language data allows us to see where revitalization efforts are needed most and to support programs that keep our languages thriving in our communities and beyond.
Why First Nations Must Collect and Manage Our Own Data
Data collection and management by First Nations communities ensures the information accurately reflects our lived realities and community contexts. When we gather and interpret data ourselves, we have the power to tell our own stories and advocate effectively for our rights and needs. Ownership over our data aligns with our inherent right to self-determination and enables us to protect, preserve, and strengthen our ways of life. It’s a tool for resilience and empowerment, enabling us to build a future that respects our values, our history, and our sovereignty.
Data sovereignty—our control and ownership over our data—ensures that it is used responsibly, respectfully, and meaningfully, not just for today but for the generations to come. Follow us for more data management solutions in the months and years to come.