INDIGENOUS DATA GOVERNANCE
FROM TECHNICAL COMPLIANCE TO SOVEREIGNTY
Keywords:
data curation, data repositories, open science, ethical governance, indigenous peoplesAbstract
This research proposes a hybrid evaluation matrix (FAIR-CARE) designed for the self-assessment of Brazilian research data repositories that steward sensitive data from Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, linking technical management criteria with principles of sovereignty and ethical information governance. This is a qualitative theoretical-methodological study based on an integrative review and document analysis of national and international instruments. The matrix was developed through a systematic cross-referencing of technical evaluation criteria FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and the ethical pillars of the CARE principles (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics), specifically tailored to the protection and self-determination of Indigenous and traditional data. The results demonstrate the prevalence of the ethical dimension within the analyzed criteria, the need to incorporate community authority to control into repository infrastructure, and the inadequacy of conventional models in operationalizing collective benefit for these populations. An expanded matrix is presented, featuring criteria focused on participatory governance, community return, the revocability of consent, and capacity building for Indigenous peoples to manage their own data. Integrating technical requirements with precepts of Indigenous sovereignty contributes to the consolidation of decolonial, inclusive, and socially responsible information curation practices in Brazil.