
TK Labels

The TK and BC Labels are an initiative for Indigenous communities and local organizations. Developed through sustained partnership and testing within Indigenous communities across multiple countries, the Labels allow communities to express local and specific conditions for sharing and engaging in future research and relationships in ways that are consistent with already existing community rules, governance and protocols for using, sharing and circulating knowledge and data. Communities customize their TK & BC Labels. To do this you will need to use the Local Contexts Hub which allows community control over customization and delivery to institutions, data repositories and other organizations.
The TK Labels support the inclusion of local protocols for access and use to cultural heritage that is digitally circulating outside community contexts. The TK Labels identify and clarify community-specific rules and responsibilities regarding access and future use of traditional knowledge. This includes sacred and/or ceremonial material, material that has gender restrictions, seasonal conditions of use and/or materials specifically designed for outreach purposes.
The TK Label text is intended to be customized by each community – giving the Labels specificity and context. The title of each TK Label can be translated into one or more languages and displayed in addition to the default Label title. The TK Label icons are not to be altered. This is to ensure national and international recognition and integrity across content and collection management systems, online repositories, websites, and physical exhibits.
For more information on implementing and displaying the TK Labels, please contact the Local Contexts team.