Taking Care of Data: Advancing Research Sovereignty with the Nunatsiavut Government Research Centre

Abstract

Self-determination is an Inuit right and can be acknowledged through just and equitable research procedures. With the increasing emphasis on collaborative marine research and management, individuals and institutions need to ensure that their long-term research processes align with community values. The Nunatsiavut Government Research Centre (NGRC) has identified a need for the implementation of culturally aligned protocols for data sharing, access, and storage to ensure long-term Inuit research sovereignty. This project explores how researchers undertaking the Imappivut marine spatial planning project’s Knowledge Study navigated the challenges and opportunities of advancing research sovereignty, and how their experiences can inform data governance frameworks that uphold Inuit rights and values. In doing so, it examines obstacles they faced and the strategies they developed to manage valuable data in ways that align with Inuit priorities.

To address these questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with past and present researchers involved in the Imappivut Knowledge Study. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified security, access, sharing, and usage as central aspects of research sovereignty. These findings point to NGRC priorities, including culturally appropriate research practices and accountability to participants, while also highlighting broader considerations for the evolution of long-term projects. This work directly supports researchers employed by the Nunatsiavut Government, who are responsible for stewarding the Imappivut Knowledge Study. By developing methods rooted in Inuit laws, practices, and customs, this study aims not only to support Nunatsiavut’s governance of research data but also to offer lessons applicable to other Inuit communities pursuing marine research sovereignty.