It’s official! We formalized our Indigenous Peoples' Data Agreement to strengthen rights-based research relations

We have lots to celebrate this past season, including formalizing our new Indigenous Peoples' Data Agreement signed and put into place between the Northern Arapaho Tribe and Colorado State University research leadership. Formalizing this agreement was a major milestone at the university, culminating after a long history of advocacy for Indigenous rights and reconciliation in research.

This agreement has supported experiential learning opportunities and shared knowledge exchanges between CSU students and Northern Arapaho Tribal Knowledge Keepers both on the Wind River Reservation, WY, and at the CSU Native American Cultural Center field site in Livermore, CO. These exchanges have supported vital ground truthing and cultural context building that is necessary for strengthening research integrity and meaningful relationships based in Indigenous methodologies. Now with this agreement in place, these collaborations can continue to build with Indigenous governance of data and reciprocity at the forefront.

We share our immense gratitude for all of our collaborators, including Northern Arapaho Tribe Knowledge Keepers, Colorado State University and Native American Cultural Center affiliates, the Intermountain West Transformation Network, Trees, Water, and People, and Peaks and Prairies who all played unique and pivotal roles in bringing these relations and projects to life!