Community Policy
Data Sovereignty Principles
Our data belongs to us. The Barkly community has the right to own, govern and control information that describes, shapes and affects our people and our Country.
These principles guide how all data about our community is collected, used and shared.
Endorsed by Community Governance Team - June 2025
What is it?
Our right to govern our own information
Every day, government departments, health services, researchers and other organisations collect information about our community — our health, our children, our housing, our land. That data shapes funding decisions, policies and programs that directly affect our lives. For too long, it has been gathered without our knowledge and used without our consent.
Data Sovereignty is our right, as Aboriginal people, to own and govern that information. Just as we hold rights to our Country, we hold rights to the knowledge that describes our people. These six principles set the rules for how data about the Barkly community is handled - by us, and by everyone who works with us.
Formally endorsed by the Barkly Governance Team
These principles and the establishment of the Community Data Sovereignty Group were formally endorsed at the Governance Team meeting in June 2025. The community is now moving forward with implementation across all levels of government and partner organisations.
These principles are the Intellectual Property of the Barkly Regional Deal and represent sovereign knowledge and learning from the community.
The Six Principles
Barkly Regional Deal Data Sovereignty Principles
Developed by the BRD Backbone Community Researchers in partnership with Elders and community leaders.
1
Control
Community Control
The BRD Backbone Community Researchers decide what data is collected about us, who can access it, and how it’s used. We don’t collect or share data without proper approval from our Elders and community leaders.
2
Benefit
Community Benefit
Any data we collect or share must directly benefit our community. We ask: “How does this help our people?” before any data project starts.
3
Culture
Cultural Respect
We handle data in ways that respect our culture, protocols, and knowledge systems. Some information is sacred and sensitive and will never be shared publicly, no matter who asks.
4
Ownership
We Own Our Data
Data about our community belongs to us — not to researchers, government agencies, or service providers. When others want to use our data, we set the terms and conditions.
5
Access
We Decide Who Sees What
We control who can access our data and for what purposes. Just because someone funded a project doesn’t mean they automatically get all the data. Our community’s privacy and safety comes first.
6
Return
Data Comes Back to Us
Any data collected about our community must be returned to us in a usable form. We build our own data capabilities so we can use information to make decisions and tell our own stories.
Further Reading
References & resources
The Barkly Regional Deal Data Sovereignty Principles are grounded in national and international frameworks. The following resources provide further context.
Peak Body
Maiam nayri Wingara Collective
maiamnayriwingara.org
National Agreement
Closing the Gap — Priority Reform 4
closingthegap.gov.au
Research Ethics
AIATSIS Code of Ethics
aiatsis.gov.au
Global Principles
CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance
gida-global.org
NT Health Data
AMSANT — Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT
amsant.org.au
Federal Framework
Framework for Governance of Indigenous Data (NIAA 2024)
niaa.gov.au