Building Stronger Partnerships Through Indigenous Data Sovereignty
As we reflect on the significance of National Apology Day, understanding and respecting Indigenous Data Sovereignty becomes even more critical. It’s not only about acknowledging past wrongs, but also taking tangible steps towards reconciliation and respect in the way data is handled. Embracing IDS is a way forward–a commitment to honouring our Indigenous governance, empowering communities and ensuring that our data is used in ways that benefit us now and into the future.
Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS) is our right to own, control and govern data about our lands, cultures and communities. It calls for a shift towards partnerships based on trust and respect. By honoring our governance of data, we can foster stronger, more meaningful partnerships.
If you’re interested in exploring IDS further, take a look at our previous blogs, otherwise, continue on in this blog to understand the significance of IDS in reconciliation and partnership building:
Indigenous Data Sovereignty Starts With a Deadly Data Strategy
Why Indigenous Data Sovereignty Matters Now More Than Ever
The Power of IDS in Strengthening Partnerships
For organisations looking to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities, adopting an IDS framework offers pathways that go beyond traditional partnership models. It’s not just about meeting objectives or ticking boxes – it’s about fostering a relationship that acknowledges the community as an equal partner, one with expertise, wisdom and its own set of priorities. The IDS framework encourages a shift in perspective, where power is shared and decision making processes are not one-sided but collaborative. This ensures that Indigenous knowledge systems and practices are not only respected but actively integrated into the work in an agreed upon way.
One of the core values of an IDS framework is the emphasis on informed consent and community-led data governance. In practical terms, this means moving away from standard research models and positioning communities as co-creators of knowledge. This process takes time and requires a deep commitment to transparency, with organisations being open about how data will be used, who will benefit and what outcomes are expected. It also demands an ongoing commitment to communication, where feedback loops are built into every stage of the partnership.
Additionally, IDS helps organisations understand the importance of reciprocity. True partnerships aren’t just about what one side can give or get, but how both parties can learn from and enrich each other. By centering Indigenous values and practices within the partnership, organisations can challenge their own assumptions and biases, evolving not only in their approach to community engagement but in how they approach their broader mission. This growth can benefit both the organisation and the communities they are working with, creating partnerships that are both ethical and transformative.
An Example of Such Partnerships: ‘Water in the Desert: How Two-Way Learning Turned a Fairy Tale into an Award-Winning Research Project’
In the vast spinifex country of Western Australia’s Eastern Pilbara, a groundbreaking partnership between the Martu people, through Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, and Dr. Fiona Walsh is reshaping the understanding of linyji, or “fairy circles”. Long a mystery to Western scientists, these formations hold deep cultural and ecological significance, offering new insights through the lens of Indigenous knowledge and collaboration. What started as an academic investigation into these red-earth formations has blossomed into a transformative collaboration that blends Indigenous knowledge with Western science, challenging old assumptions and creating new, shared insights.
A breathtaking bird’s eye view of the eastern Pilbara reveals a striking landscape dotted with Linyji. The rich red earth stretches across the frame, intersected by a straight dirt track where a lone white car makes its journey through the terrain.
Photo Credit: Dave Wells
For generations, the Martu people have known that linyji are not just strange patterns in the landscape, but a home of spinifex termites called Pilarrpa and Wartunyuma. These patches also serve as crucial water sources to desert animals, as well as places for seed processing and resin making. Western science, incorrectly, had long attributed the formation of these circles to competition between spinifex plants, drawing parallels to similar patterns in Namibia, Africa—without acknowledging the Martu people’s knowledge. But when Dr. Walsh partnered with the Martu, a new understanding emerged—one that recognises the deep cultural and ecological insights Indigenous knowledge brings to the story of linyji and the trust of their ancient knowledge and truthtelling.
Rain has collected in shallow pools on the linyji, the surface is still, reflecting the surrounding landscape.
Photo credit: Emma Stock
This collaboration became a model for two-way learning, where Indigenous and Western science do more than just coexist – they enrich each other. Guided by the Martu people’s deep ecological understanding, scientists shifted how they viewed desert ecology, showing the importance of these sites far beyond what had been previously understood.
“Australian ecosystem science could learn very, very much on many many topics from Aboriginal people. But rather than just roll in and have a science that is an extractive approach we have to build one that’s two-way knowledge sharing. Or, even more importantly, science step back and be quiet and support Aboriginal people to hold and reclaim and restore their own knowledge systems.”
The partnership also highlights the significance of Indigenous Data Sovereignty, where Indigenous Australians control how our knowledge is shared and used, ensuring cultural practices are respected and celebrated.
The success of the project lies not just in its scientific contributions but in the lasting relationships it has fostered.
The Linyji Project demonstrates that true partnerships go beyond simply sharing knowledge, they are rooted in co-creation, honouring Indigenous sovereignty. By respecting and integrating Indigenous knowledge systems, this collaboration fosters mutual understanding and creates new pathways for both scientific advancement and the preservation of wisdom that has long been overlooked by Western communities.
Check out the full article here: ‘Water in the Desert: How Two-Way Learning Turned a Fairy Tale into an Award-Winning Research Project’
Moving Forward Together: Taking Action on IDS
At Winyama, we’re passionate about bringing Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS) to life in ways that create real impact. We believe the strongest projects are built on a foundation of strong IDS principles and genuine partnerships—where Indigenous leadership, cultural values, and community aspirations are at the core, while non-Indigenous organisations engage meaningfully and respectfully with IDS principles.
Our goal is simple: to foster equitable, lasting collaborations that empower Indigenous communities and support all stakeholders in upholding ethical data management practices.
Let’s work together to protect and manage Indigenous data the right way. Contact us today to learn how we can help you build meaningful relationships and enable two-way knowledge sharing in your mapping projects.