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Upcoming Events

Indigenous Communities Working Group meeting

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The next Local Contexts Indigenous Communities Working Group will be held May 7 (UTC). For this meeting, we will host a presentation by Monique Tyndall (Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans (Citizen), Umoⁿhoⁿ, Mvskoke), a new member of the Local Contexts team serving as Outreach Coordinator (CBIKS). In their previous role as Director of Cultural Affairs for …

Society of Ethnobiology Conference 2026

May 20, 2026 - May 23, 2026
 

The Local Contexts will present at the 47th Annual Conference of the Society of Ethnobiology held virtually and in-person in Sewanee, Tennessee, United States. Outreach Coordinator Amy June Breesman (Eastern Shawnee) will present “Activating the Local Contexts tools to uphold Indigenous Peoples’ rights in biocultural data sharing” as a part of the “Ethics and Collaborations …

IASSIST 2026

June 2, 2026 - June 5, 2026
 

The Local Contexts team will present as part of the 51st Annual Conference of IASSIST, the International Association for Social Science Information Service and Technology.  On June 3 UTC, Outreach Manager Emily Santhanam (Chickasaw) and Director of Programs Corrie Roe will present “#BeFairAndCare: How The Local Contexts Tools Support Indigenous Data Sovereignty.” The Local Contexts …

Local Contexts Hub Information Session

June 23, 2026
, 17:00 UTC

Do you have questions about Local Contexts or the Local Contexts Hub? Curious about how you can use the Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Labels and Notices to support Indigenous data sovereignty and cultural authority? Sign-up for a group informational or Hub demonstration session with the Local Contexts team!

State of the World’s Plants and Fungi Symposium

June 29, 2026 - July 1, 2026
 

Local Contexts Strategic Advisor Maui Hudson (Whakatōhea) will present as part of the State of the World’s Plants and Fungi Symposium, online and in-person at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, UK. On July 1 UTC, Maui will present “Acknowledging local contexts: Recognising Indigenous knowledge and provenance as part of the biocultural value of collections” …

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On a decorative blue background, title and diagram. Title: “Guidelines on the Implementation of the Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Labels and Notices in the European Reference Genome Atlas for Biodiversity Researchers.” The diagram shows Figure 1, the ERGA Label and Notice Implementation Workflow, steps 1 to 6. Step 1, metadata manifest upload by sample ambassador. Step 2, metadata brokering. Step 3, alert ERGA managers. Step 4, internal/public metadata sharing. Step 5, internal sequence data and data manifest upload. Step 6, internal/public repository selected. Articles, Resources

Guidance Documentation for Implementing Labels in ERGA

Oct 19, 2022 The European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) in partnership with COPO and Local Contexts has created a guide for biodiversity researchers to support the inclusion of… …
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Manaaki Whenua Systems Collections Data database sample entry for CHR 469903 with 4 Local Contexts Labels and 1 Notice. Collections details including specimen type, database record, preferred name, and identification type. On right, list titled “Permissions.” Beneath, text: “Project title: Biological specimens housed at Manaaki Whenua: Te rohe o Whakatōhea,” Beneath, text: “Reference: Local Contexts - Whakatohea.” Four Label icons and titles are below: “BC Provenance (BC P) | Nā wai/ Nō hea. BC Research Use (BC R) | Rangahau. BC Open to Collaboration (BC CB) | Kotahitanga. BC Open to Commercialization (BC OC) | Umanga.” Beneath, text: “Project title: Local Contexts - Allan Herbarium (CHR)” with Local Contexts BC Notice icon. Labels in Use, Notices in Use

Labels and Notices in Manaaki Whenua

Oct 5, 2022 Last updated April 12, 2023 The first Biocultural Labels and Notices have been applied to an open biodiversity database using the Local Contexts Hub. Manaaki… …
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Black text on a decorative blue-green background: “If Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) are not connected to their information and data, then there are limits to how IPLC can govern, make decisions and derive benefits from its future use. Golan, Riddle, Hudson, Anderson, Kusabs & Coltman, Articles

Benefit sharing: Why inclusive provenance metadata matter

Sep 21, 2022 A new journal article published today speaks to the need to establish Indigenous data provenance in genetic research. Co-authored by Local Contexts team members and… …
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Event poster for “We All Count: Talking Data Equity. Free webinar. October 28, 12 pm EDT.” At the bottom is the Local Contexts logo, a black circle made of dots. Talks

We All Count’s “Talking Data Equity”

Sep 16, 2022 We All Count’s “Talking Data Equity” is a series of weekly drop-in conversations addressing questions with people who are working on operationalizing data equity. Local… …
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Text at top: “Notices in use. Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment.” On a decorative red background, two screenshots. The back screenshot shows the Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment homepage. On top, the screenshot shows the Open to Collaborate Notice and text. Notices in Use

Notice in Use: Maine-eDNA

Sep 7, 2022 The Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment at the University of Maine and its program, Maine-eDNA, have applied the Open to Collaborate Notice on… …
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Film still showing Jane Anderson, a white person with short brown hair with a black and white shirt and silver earrings. Films, Resources

The Problem of Property

Aug 11, 2022 In this film, Dr. Jane Anderson, Founder of Local Contexts, discusses the language of "property," "ownership," and the real, tangible questions around culture and cultural… …
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On a decorative red background, text: “Notices in use. Wellcome Collection.” Two screenshots from the Wellcome Collection website. The first shows a title, “An invitation to Indigenous communities.” The second shows text with two Notices applied, Open to Collaborate and Attribution Incomplete. Notices in Use

Notices in Use: Wellcome Collection

Aug 3, 2022 The Wellcome Collection, a London, UK, museum focused on health and human experience, has applied the Attribution Incomplete and Open to Collaborate Notices. On their… …
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On a decorative red background, text: “Notices in use. OpenTEK.” Below, a screenshot showing a map of the world with colored dots. At the bottom, the Local Contexts logo, a ring made of dots. Notices in Use

Notices in Use: OpenTEK

Jul 20, 2022 The four Local Contexts Notices — Traditional Knowledge, Biocultural, Attribution Incomplete, and Open to Collaborate — have been applied to the OpenTEK platform. OpenTEK is… …
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On a decorative red background, text: “Notices in use. Karen Jamieson Dance.” Screenshot of the Karen Jamieson Dance website with the title “Collaboration at KJD.” Notices in Use

Notices in Use: Karen Jamieson Dance

Jun 30, 2022 The Attribution Incomplete and Open to Collaborate Notices have been applied by Karen Jamieson Dance, a dance company based in Canada on the unceded traditional… …
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Black text and icon on a decorative red background. “TK & BC Labels in use. E Reo Noku – My Language.” Below is a screenshot showing the credits from one of the Oriana TV videos featuring the TK Attribution, TK Verified, TK Non Commercial, TK Outreach, and TK Open to Collaboration Labels. At the bottom is the Local Contexts logo, a black circle made of dots. Labels in Use

Labels in Use: Oriana TV

Jun 17, 2022 The Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels were recently applied in a film project produced by Aotearoa (New Zealand)-based television platform, Oriana TV, "E Reo Noku –… …
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Black text on a decorative red background: “TK & BC Labels in use. University of Tasmania.” In the Center is a decorative peach colored circle with the University of Tasmania logo at the top and black text below that states “HSS 113 Indigenous Lifeworlds: Sovereignty, Society and Justice.” Below the text are four TK Label icons. TK Attribution, TK Outreach, TK Verified, and TK Secret/Sacred. At the bottom is the Local Contexts logo, a black circle made of dots. Labels in Use

Labels in Use: University of Tasmania (UTAS)

Jun 3, 2022 Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Biocultural (BC) Labels are customized by Indigenous communities to give specificity and context, and suit their needs. Label customization is an… …
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Black text on dark red decorative background: “Notices in use. Simon Fraser University Library Northwest Coast Image Archive.” In the center are two screenshots. In the background, one shows a screenshot of the landing page of the “SFU Digitized Collections, The George and Joanne MacDonald Northwest Coast Image Archive,” which is text with a small image of a close-up of a monumental carving. The second screenshot is on top and shows the Open to Collaborate Notice icon, a black square icon with two hands facing each other, next to the Notice text: “Open to Collaborate. Our institution is committed to the development of new modes of collaboration, engagement, and partnership with Indigenous peoples for the care and stewardship of past and future heritage collections.” At the bottom of the post in black is the Local Contexts logo, a ring made of dots. Notices in Use

Notice in Use: Simon Fraser University

May 23, 2022 An Open to Collaborate Notice is applied to the Northwest Coast Image Archive in Simon Fraser University Library’s Digitized Collections. This collection in the Bill… …
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Black text on a decorative red background “TK & BC Labels in use. Sq'éwlets Band of the Stó:lō First Nation.” Below are two screenshots from the Sq’éwlets website showing a thumbnail of a video and the TK Family Label as a pop-up. At the bottom in black is the Local Contexts logo, a ring made of dots. Labels in Use

Labels in Use: Sq’éwlets TK Family

May 13, 2022 Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Biocultural (BC) Labels are customized by Indigenous communities to give specificity and context, and suit their needs. Label customization is an… …
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Poster for “Supporting Indigenous Data: Introducing the Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Labels: People, Plants and the Law.” Black and orange tree illustration at right. The University of Queensland Australia logo in top left. Talks

Supporting Indigenous Data: Introducing the Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Labels

May 11, 2022 The lecture series, People, Plants and the Law from the University of Queensland School of Law, explores the legal and lively entanglements of human and… …
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Poster for Indigenous Teaching Fellow Local Contexts presentation: “The Indigenous Teaching Fellow Series and Western Libraries present Local Contexts: Supporting Indigenous Rights and Interests in Data and Collections.” Headshots for Dr Janette Hamilton-Pearce, Corrie Roe, and Felicia Garcia. At bottom, logos for Indigenous Initiatives and Western Libraries. Talks

Local Contexts: Supporting Indigenous Rights and Interests in Data and Collections

Apr 28, 2022 Join Local Contexts’ Programme Lead Dr. Janette Hamilton-Pearce (Te Whānau-Ā-Āpanui), Community Outreach Manager Felicia Garcia (Samala Chumash), and Institution Outreach Manager Corrie Roe for a… …
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Black text on dark red decorative background: “Notices in use. American Philosophical Society.” In the center are two screenshots. One shows the homepage of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at the American Philosophical Society, which is mainly a close-up of a hand-drawn map. In the second screenshot is the Notice icon, a black square icon with two hands facing each other, next to the Notice text: “Open to Collaborate. CNAIR is committed to the development of new modes of collaboration, engagement, and partnership with Indigenous peoples for the care and stewardship of past and future heritage collections.” At the bottom right corner in black is the Local Contexts logo, a ring made of dots. Notices in Use

Notice in use: American Philosophical Society CNAIR

Apr 27, 2022 The Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at the American Philosophical Society utilizes the Open to Collaborate Notice. CNAIR strives to work with community-based… …
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Black text and icon on a decorative red background. “TK & BC Labels in use. As I Remember It: Teachings (Ɂəms tɑɁɑw) from the Life of a Sliammon Elder.” Below are two side-by-side screenshots from Elsie Paul’s website showing 4 TK Label icons with their accompanying customized text. Labels in Use

Labels in Use: Elsie Paul

Apr 6, 2022 Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Biocultural (BC) Labels are customized by Indigenous communities to give specificity and context, and suit their needs. Label customization is an… …
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Poster for Sciences and the Sacred Seminar Series. “O Ke Kahua Ma Mua, Ma Hope O Ke Kūkulu: What is Indigenous Data Sovereignty?” Beneath, speaker headshots, names, and positions for Dr. Stephany Russo Carroll, Māui Hudson, and moderator Dr. Rosie Alegado. “Thursday, April 7, 2022. 6:00-7:30 pm HST. Zoom. Register at sciencesandthesacred.com. Hosted by Hawai’i Sea Grant Ulana ‘Ike Center of Excellence & The Biocultural Initiative of the Pacific with Support from Uh Mānoa Seed Ideas.” At bottom right, the three host logos. Talks

Sciences and the Sacred: Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Knowledge Stewardship

Apr 5, 2022 The Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Ulana ‘Ike Center of Excellence and the Biocultural Initiative of the Pacific hosted an online seminar series that will featured Indigenous… …
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Event poster. “School for Advanced Research Creative Thought Forum 2022 Lecture Series. Seeking Justice: Toward a More Equitable America. Finding Just Solutions to Appropriations of Indigenous Creations. March 31, 2022. 2:00 PM MDT. Hosted online free.” Decorative blue background showing outline of the United States with lines connecting dots. Talks

Finding Just Solutions to Appropriation of Indigenous Creation

Mar 29, 2022 Join Local Contexts Co-Director, Jane Anderson, in conversation with Trevor Reed and Madhavi Sunder for “Finding Just Solutions to Appropriation of Indigenous Creation.” Hosted by… …
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Three Image blocks. Image 1 - Black text and icon on a decorative red background. “TK & BC Labels in use. Passamaquoddy Tribe.” Below is a screenshot showing three TK Label icons.At the bottom is the Local Contexts logo, a black circle made of dots. Image 2 - Black text and icon on a decorative red background. “TK & BC Labels in use. Passamaquoddy Tribe.” Below is a screenshot from the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s website showing a catalog entry. Visible on the right hand side are three TK Label icons. At the bottom is “from PassamaquoddyPeoples.com”. Image 3 - Black text and icon on a decorative red background. “TK & BC Labels in use. Passamaquoddy Tribe.” Below is a screenshot from the Library of Congress’s website showing a catalog entry. Visible on the right hand side are three TK Label icons. At the bottom is “from Library of Congress”. Labels in Use

TK Label in use: Passamaquoddy

Mar 18, 2022 The Passamaquoddy Tribe utilizes Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels on their Passamaquoddy Peoples’ Knowledge Portal website to connect their community to their cultural heritage, and to… …
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Article from Frontiers in Genetics: “Using Indigenous Standards to Implement the CARE Principles: Setting Expectations through Tribal Research Codes”. Authors are Stephanie Russo Carroll, Brahmin Garba, Rebecca Plevel, Desi Small-Rodriguez, Vanessa Y. Hiratsuka, Maui Hudon, and Nanibaa’ A. Garrison. Published March 21, 2022. Page is split into three columns with black text on white background. Two headers: “Introduction. Indigenous Peoples and Data.” Articles

Using Indigenous Standards to Implement the CARE Principles: Setting Expectations through Tribal Research Codes

Mar 15, 2022 Maui Hudson, Co-Founder of Local Contexts, and several others published an article in Frontiers in Genetics titled "Using Indigenous Standards to Implement the CARE Principles:… …
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Slide. “eCampusOntario. Supporting Indigenous Rights and Interests in Open Data and Collections. Jane Anderson, New York University. Maui Hudson, Whakatōhea, University of Waikato.” At top on white banner, blue text, with circle of rainbow-colored dots at left: “ENRICH: Equity for Indigenous Research & Innovation Coordinating Hub.” Resources, Talks

eCampusOntario: An Overview with Local Contexts

Mar 4, 2022 This presentation with eCampusOntario was an introduction to the Local Contexts initiative and demonstration of the newly launched Local Contexts Hub. The Local Contexts team… …
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Screenshot of Te Hau o te Taonga poster. Resources

Te Hau o te Taonga

Nov 25, 2021 Te Hau o te Taonga: Kia piri te tikanga ki te mātauranga e rere ana. This poster gives an overview of how the Local Contexts… …
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On red background, in white text: “Oma Traditional Textile Design Database. Securing Cultural Intellectual Property Rights for the Oma Ethnic Group of Laos.” Labels in Use

Read how the Oma People in Laos are integrating the Labels into their own Traditional Knowledge work

Sep 20, 2021 Within the Database, "In addition to standard archive metadata, including a unique identification format of each piece of content, all content is tagged with a… …
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