Formal Indigenous research ethics play a crucial role in protecting the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples by ensuring that research is conducted ethically and responsibly, taking into account the unique cultural context and needs of Indigenous communities.
The Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance‘s project, “Supporting Indigenous data stewards: Indigenous governance and ethics in scientific research” compiled the following list of 32 Indigenous ethics documents. You can learn more about their project, including how to get involved, here.
The principle investogator for this project is Dr. Dominique David-Chavez and the Co-Principal Investigator is Dr. Stephanie Russo Carroll.
Indigenous Ethics Guiding Documents List
Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment, Protocol for Review of Environmental and Scientific Research Proposals, 1996
Alaska Native Knowledge Network and University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska Federation of Natives Guidelines for Research, 2006
Alaska Native Knowledge Network, Guidelines for Respecting Cultural Knowledge, 2000
American Indian Law Center, Model Tribal Research Code, 1999
ANDES (Peru), the Potato Park Communities, and IIED, Community Biocultural Protocols, 2011
Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS): Code of Research Ethics, 2007
Assembly of First Nations Environmental Stewardship Unit, Ethics in First Nations Research, 2009
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research, 2020
Climate and Traditional Knowledges Workgroup, Guidelines for Considering Traditional Knowledges in Climate Change Initiatives, 2014
Coeur d’Alene Tribe and University of Idaho, Protocol and Best Practice for the Research on and Public Distribution of Information from Projects Involving Indigenous Peoples, 2015
Commission on Human Rights Sub-Commission of Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities Working Group on Indigenous Populations, The Mataatua Declaration on Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 1993
Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, Protocol for Aboriginal Knowledge and Intellectual Property, 2009
Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism, Indigenous Research Protection Act, 2000
Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre, The Ethics of Research Involving Indigenous Peoples, 2004
Indigenous Peoples Specialty Group (IPSG) of the Association of American Geographers (AAG), Declaration of Key Questions about Research Ethics with Indigenous Communities, 2010
International Society of Ethnobiology, ISE Code of Ethics, 2006
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, National Inuit Strategy on Research, 2018
Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project, Code of Research Ethics, 2007
Karuk Tribe and University of California Berkeley, Practicing Pikyav: Policy for Collaborative Projects and Research Initiatives with the Karuk Trib, 2020
Kulana Noi?i Working Group and University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, Guiding Framework for Decision-making in Natural Resource Management and Research, 2021
National Aboriginal Health Organization, Principles of Ethical Métis Research, 2011
National Congress of American Indians, Research that Benefits Native People: A Guide for Tribal Leaders, 2009
National Khoisan Council, Biocultural Community Protocol, 2019
Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Utility, Self-voicing, Access, and Inter-relationality (USAI) Research Framework, 2016
Sahota, Research Regulation in American Indian/Alaska Native Communities: Policy and Practice Considerations, 2007
Straits et al., Guiding Principles for Engaging in Research with Native American Communities, 2012
South African San Institute, San Code of Research Ethics, 2017
Te Mana Raraunga: M?ori Data Sovereignty Network, Principles of M?ori Data Sovereignty, 2018
The General Assembly, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007
The Global Indigenous Data Alliance, CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, 2019
The P?taiora Writing Group, Te Ara Tika Guidelines for M?ori Research Ethics: A Framework for Researchers and Ethics Committee Members, 2010
