Leading Data Sovereignty for Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq First Nations
In Mi’kmaq, the word ‘mawkim’ means to count and to record. Mawkim’s work is rooted in Mi’kmaw governance, community ethics, and the responsibility to protect Mi’kmaw knowledge. It supports community control over how information is gathered, protected, accessed, and used, in ways that serve Mi’kmaw people. The Mawkim Team is housed at the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq (UNSM), serving all thirteen Nova Scotia First Nation Communities.
Vision
Rooted in our language, culture, and tradition, we steward our own data, we tell our own story, and we shape our own future as a strong L’nu Nation.
Mission
We will establish a Mi’kmaq regional data center that is L’nu’k led and aligned with community priorities and principals through engagement, collaboration and strategic planning.
DATA SOVEREIGNTY
Data Sovereignty means that Mi’kmaw communities have a meaningful say in how information about them is collected, protected, accessed, shared, and used. It is about control, consent, and trusted information that supports community decisions.
SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Self-governance is only possible when we, as a people, understand our needs, strengths, and opportunities.
We cannot rely on outside institutions to teach us about our communities, so we must therefore invest in gathering our own data & information, learning from it and then using that knowledge to strengthen our communities.
Mawkim Projects & History
The UNSM is responsible for coordinating the First Nations Regional Health Survey (FNRHS, or RHS for short) and the First Nations Regional Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey (FNREEES) activities at the regional level. We currently provide RHS and FNREEES support in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
UNION OF NOVA SCOTIA MI’KMAQ
The Mawkim Data Governance Team is hosted by the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq (UNSM) under the Capacity Development department. UNSM is a tribal council organization serving five of the 13 Mi’kmaq communities in Nova Scotia: Membertou, Eskasoni, Potlotek, Wagmatcook and We’koma’q. Established in 1969, UNSM works collectively with member First Nations to support governance, healthy communities, and self-determined Nationhood.
First Nation Information Governance Centre
The Mawkim Team is provided with funding and support from the First Nation Information Governance Centre (FNIGC). FNIGC supports First Nations communities by contributing directly to building data and statistical capacities at national, regional, and community levels, including the provision of credible and relevant information on First Nations. In addition to conducting a number of surveys, FNIGC is responsible for a wide range of other work. They oversee data collection on First Nations reserves and in northern communities, conduct research, engage in knowledge translation and dissemination activities, offer education and training, and promote the advancement of the First Nations principles of OCAP®.
FNIGC became an independent, incorporated non-profit entity in 2010. Their history can be traced back to 1996, when the Assembly of First Nations formed a National Steering Committee to design a new national First Nations health survey in response to a decision from the Federal Government to exclude First Nations people living on reserve from three major population surveys.
Our data. Our voice. Our future:
L’nu’k led, reclaiming our truth.
Group photo including Mi’kmaq women, men and children. This photograph has been identified as including: Chief James Paul, Judge Christopher Paul, Chief Peter Paul, Father Young, Isaac Sack and John Noel. Photographer: anonymous Reference: Nova Scotia Archives Photo Drawer – Indians – Paul, Chief James and others / negative 9968 and 8003 Search