Abstract
The brochure introduces the OCAP™ principles—Ownership, Control, Access, Possession—as foundational to First Nations data sovereignty. It outlines why OCAP™ matters, the historical harms that led to its creation, and the core values that guide ethical research involving First Nations communities.
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Why It Matters
This resource offers a clear, accessible explanation of OCAP™ that is especially useful for researchers, institutions, and community leaders seeking to align with ethical data practices. It reinforces OCAP™ as not just a research standard but as a pathway to self-determination, cultural preservation, and data governance rooted in First Nations legal and spiritual authority.
Key Topics
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OCAP™ is a set of principles asserting First Nations’ jurisdiction over their own data
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Each principle is defined and tied to real-world governance practices
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Describes OCAMP workshops, online training, and OCAP™ certification
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Emphasizes OCAP™ as a community-driven, flexible, and non-prescriptive approach
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OCAP™ is not a universal Indigenous framework—it is specific to First Nations
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Cautions against selective application; all four principles must be respected as a whole