Events

Supporting Indigenous Relationships and Acknowledgements in Scientific Research with BC Labels

Indigenous Peoples have the right to make decisions about the future use of information, biological collections, data, and digital sequence information that derives from associated lands, waters, and territories. The Local Contexts Biocultural (BC) Labels support this right by defining community expectations around appropriate use of biocultural collections and data. The BC Labels focus on accurate provenance, transparency, and integrity in research engagements with Indigenous communities. 

This webinar highlights the first use of a BC Label on thesis research, hearing from the Iwi who applied the Label, the researcher who collaborated with the Iwi, and the university staff who ensured the Label would be reflected in the institutional repository. The presenters will share their perspective and experience around this use of the Label, as well as what they hope to see in the future.

This webinar was recorded. View this blog post to learn more.

Taoho Patuawa (Te Roroa, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi)

Taoho Patuawa is an Environmental Science Advisor for his iwi organisation Te Roroa. Te Roroa is an active iwi organisation with a strong collaborative partnership approach to environmental issues within their rohe, including various aspects of forest health, monitoring of freshwater systems and biodiversity, hazard and infrastructure services management, as well as social support for our communities. From this diverse operations portfolio, they have a number of opportunities to incorporate the use of the Local Context Hub and Labels. Of particular interest is the intention to standardize the use of Local Contexts across contemporary environmental projects to promote long-term, collaborative relationships between kaimahi and research teams.

Fern Donovan

Headshot of Fern Donovan

Fern Donovan is the Te Papa Atawhai / Department of Conservation Freshwater Pests and Migratory Fish Species Ranger for Te Tai Tokerau Northland. Her role includes the protection and management of some of indigenous freshwater species. Prior to this role, she was a student at Victoria University of Wellington, completing a MSc researching the reproductive behaviors and habitat requirements of a native freshwater fish species (Shortjaw Kōkopu) in a West Coast catchment in Northland. This involved the incorporation of Te Roroa’s Biocultural Label, the first Local Contexts BC Label used on a thesis. Fern is passionate about environmental protection and the conservation of unique flora and fauna, striving to see an Aotearoa that thrives from the mountains to the sea: ki uta ki tai.

Ori Atkins

Headshot of Ori Atkins

Ori Atkins (any pronouns) is a Systems and Integration Developer working within The Library at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Their role is to ensure that all the library’s various digital systems can communicate effectively with each other, and to develop and improve digital services. Outside of work, she is currently studying part-time towards a postgraduate qualification in Information Studies. He is also a proud member of the queer community and is heavily involved in union work with the Tertiary Education Union. As demonstrated, it uses any pronouns.

Nik Crombie (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine)

Headshot of Nik Crombie

Nik Crombie shares the role of Digital Research Services Coordinator with Max. Nik and Max support the thesis deposit process, Library repository platforms (Figshare and Dspace), and Open Journal Systems.

Nik has previously worked in public libraries and the National Library of New Zealand, and has a Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies.

Max Sullivan

Headshot of Max Sullivan

Max Sullivan is a Digital Research Services Coordinator at the Library Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. He shares this role with Nik. Max and Nik support the thesis deposit process, Library repository platforms (Figshare and Dspace), and Open Journal Systems.

Max has a Master of Library and Information Systems and a background working on digitisation projects, repository systems, and open access publishing.

Upcoming Events

Open Repositories 2025

juin 15, 2025 - juin 18, 2025
 
“Open Repositories 2025. The 20th international conference. Chicago, USA.” Logo of Chicago city skyline

On June 15, Software/Web Developer Ashley Rojas will present in-person in Chicago, IL, USA, as part of the annual meeting of the 20th International Conference on Open Repositories. Ashley will present as part of “Advancing Indigenous Data Sovereignty through Dataverse and Local Contexts Integration,” which will give an overview of the Dataverse Local Contexts integration …

Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections annual meeting

mai 27, 2025 - mai 31, 2025
 
“SPNHC 2025. KU Biodiversity Institute. The University of Kansas.” Logo of SPNHC 2025, an illustration of a dinosaur skeleton entwined with a University of Kansas building. Background photograph of the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute buildings.

On May 29, Outreach Coordinator Amy June Breesman (Eastern Shawnee/German/Irish) will present in-person in Lawrence, Kansas, USA, as part of the annual meeting of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections. Amy June will present “Integrating Local Contexts Labels and Notices as an additive tool for Indigenous People’s sovereignty in collections management,” which …

Society of Ethnobiology Annual Conference

mai 23, 2025
, 16:30 UTC
Event poster for the Society of Ethnobiology 46th Annual Conference. “Local Contexts session: Cultural Stewardship and Waymaking with Local Contexts Labels and Notices. Hybrid: May 23, 2025, 9:30 am PDT. Details: https://ethnobiology.org/conference/. Conference logo is stylized digital illustration of Wèš (Wehsh [chickadee]) sitting on a pinyon pine branch with a background of Dá awaga (Lake Tahoe).

On May 23, Local Contexts Outreach Coordinator Amy June Breesman will present an oral session, “Cultural Stewardship and Waymaking with Local Contexts Labels and Notices,” at the Society of Ethnobiology 46th Annual Conference, held in Reno, Nevada, US and online. In this virtual introductory session, attendees will learn about the global work of Local Contexts. …

Cultural Institutions Working Group meeting

mai 12, 2025
, 21:00 UTC
“Working Groups and Networks.” Text on decorative orange background.

The next Cultural Institution Working Group meeting will be held May 5 UTC. This meeting is being held after the April 29 UTC webinar about recent updates to the Hub, including the introduction of the Hub subscription program, to create space for an informal follow-up discussion to share resources, questions, and thoughts in a smaller …