IRES Reflects on Indigenous Data Sovereignty & Governance Summit 2026

The Indigenous Resilience Team attended the U.S. Indigenous Data Sovereignty & Governance Summit 2026 from April 14-17, 2026. The summit created a space for professionals, students, and community leaders to convene dialogue on the intricacies of self-determination and data sovereignty. Notable presentations included those that focused on contextualizing the doctrine of discovery in the age of AI, Black Women’s Positionality, Solidarity, and Liberation in Data Governance, and Rematriation as Resistance. Bree Lameman, IRes graduate research assistant, also presented her groundbreaking work and research in Dine hydroponics. 

These presentations brought a unique understanding of data sovereignty and shared glimpses of the freedom in managing our own people’s data. Understanding the historical implications of data sovereignty starts with understanding the effects of colonization. Doctrine of discovery is a colonial belief and federal policy that undermined the self-determining abilities of Indigenous communities everywhere. The status quo in data sovereignty is colonial and what presentations at this summit showcased was the antithesis of this known structure. Instead of looking at data governance through the lens of control and gatekeeping, we look at it as active participation in the safeguarding of our data. Taking control of the narrative to ensure community members are active creators and keepers of their data is key to unlearning the colonial structure of data governance. Overall, the Summit was a great learning experience for the IRes team and helped inform our research efforts in tandem with the University.