Abstract

Indigenous data sovereignty (IDS) has emerged as a critical framework for reasserting Indigenous control over 
the collection, ownership, access, and use of data, particularly within heritage digitization initiatives. As museums, 
archives, and libraries increasingly convert physical cultural materials into digital formats, questions of 
governance, authority, and ethical stewardship have become central to debates on cultural preservation and 
representation. This paper examines governance models that operationalize IDS in heritage digitization, including 
community-led, collaborative, federated, and access-controlled frameworks. It highlights how these models 
negotiate tensions between institutional mandates and Indigenous self-determination, particularly in contexts 
shaped by colonial legacies and global digital infrastructures. Through analysis of legal, ethical, and practical 
dimensions, the study demonstrates that effective governance must extend beyond technical digitization processes 
to include decision rights, benefit-sharing, consent mechanisms, and culturally grounded stewardship. Case studies 
illustrate both the opportunities and limitations of existing approaches, revealing persistent challenges such as 
unequal power relations, restricted capacity, and risks of misrepresentation or unauthorized dissemination. The 
paper argues that sustainable heritage digitization must be anchored in Indigenous-defined governance systems 
that prioritize sovereignty, transparency, and cultural integrity. It concludes that IDS-informed governance is 
essential for ensuring that digital heritage initiatives support, rather than undermine, Indigenous rights and 
knowledge systems.