Indigenous data governance and sovereignty: a crosswalk comparison of four metadata schemas

This study critically examines metadata infrastructures related to archival materials and Indigenous data sovereignty and data governance frameworks. By analyzing nationally and internationally recognized metadata content standards for archival materials, this study explores how rights, ownership, and access are defined and conceptualized in metadata standards conceived through different theoretical frameworks. Further, this study provides crosswalk maps for standards in relation to Murkutu, a metadata standard used primarily by Indigenous communities and Tribal entities to ensure culturally appropriate and legally sufficient intellectual property considerations, ownership, and access rights. Within the framework of internationally recognized rights for Indigenous peoples and nuanced understandings of ownership and property rights, this study adds to discussions within cultural heritage institutions and archival repositories by moving towards broadening understandings of appropriate stewardship of Indigenous archival materials and consultation with Tribal entities and communities.Master of Science in Library Scienc