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Our virtual offices will be closed August 17-21, 2026. We will return on August 24.
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Upcoming Events

Genomic Standards Consortium 2026

August 12, 2026 - August 14, 2026
 

A Local Contexts Councilor will present at the 26th International Meeting of the Genomics Standards Consortium in Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand. This GSC meeting will bring together researchers, data stewards, and standards developers to examine how genomic repositories can support responsible, interoperable, and culturally grounded uses of AI.  On August 12 NZT, Councilor Community Member …

ATALM 2026

September 21, 2026 - September 25, 2026
 

The Local Contexts team will be attending and presenting at the 2026 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museum held September 21-25 in Spokane, Washington, United States. The team is currently slotted to present a half-day pre-conference workshop on the Local Contexts tools for Indigenous communities, and a session with collaborators from the Indianapolis …

Local Contexts Hub Information Session

October 14, 2026
, 19:00 UTC

Do you have questions about Local Contexts or the Local Contexts Hub? Curious about how you can use the Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Labels and Notices to support Indigenous data sovereignty and cultural authority? Sign-up for a group informational or Hub demonstration session with the Local Contexts team!

Local Contexts Hub Information Session

December 2, 2026
, 22:00 UTC

Do you have questions about Local Contexts or the Local Contexts Hub? Curious about how you can use the Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Labels and Notices to support Indigenous data sovereignty and cultural authority? Sign-up for a group informational or Hub demonstration session with the Local Contexts team!

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Cover of Data Do’s and Don’ts: A Primer on Indigenous Data Sovereignty with the NSF CBIKS logo and an illustration of a hand holding seeds. Resources

Data Do’s and Don’ts: A Primer on Indigenous Data Sovereignty

Jul 31, 2026 Data Do’s and Don’ts: A Primer on Indigenous Data Sovereignty is a new guidebook written by Dr. Jane Anderson, Co-Founder and Council Vice Chair of… …
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“Royal Botanic Gardens Kew State of the World’s Plants and Fungi 2026.” Report cover. Background image shows a person barcoding a pressed plant specimen. Resources, Talks

State of the World’s Plants and Fungi Symposium Recordings and Report

Jul 17, 2026 The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew recently hosted the 2026 State of the World's Plants and Fungi Symposium. The event brought together experts to focus on… …
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“Local Contexts Annual Report 2024-2025.” Text on decorative background, a photograph of moana/ocean at the Whakatōhea Mussel Farm. Announcement

2024-2025 Annual Report

May 13, 2026 We are excited to share our 2024-2025 Annual Report, our organization’s first public-facing report of this kind.  After a welcome from Executive Director Hop Hopkins,… …
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Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository logo and Local Contexts certified integration partner logo. Announcement

Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository joins Local Contexts as one of our first certified Integration Partners

May 13, 2026 Local Contexts is excited to welcome Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository (AGDR) as a certified Integration Partner on the Local Contexts Hub. “We are thrilled to… …
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Poster for Niiwin by Animikii #DataBackDay, headshot of speakers on decorative purple background. Talks

Niiwin #DataBack Day

Mar 20, 2026 On February 20, 2026, Local Contexts team members presented as a part of #DataBack Day, an online convening hosted by Niiwin, the community-focused data platform… …
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Screenshot of the cover of the IEEE Recommended Practice for Provenance of Indigenous Peoples’ Data, showing the title and IEEE logo. Announcement, Resources

First global standard on Indigenous Peoples’ data

Jan 8, 2026 The newly adopted “IEEE Recommended Practice for Provenance of Indigenous Peoples' Data,” is the first-ever international standard that calls for “appropriate disclosure of Indigenous peoples’… …
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Local Contexts Giving Tuesday graphic. Text reads: “Join the global movement to recognize Indigenous Data Sovereignty. This Giving Tuesday, your donation helps to strengthen the relationships and tools that uphold Indigenous rights.” Announcement

Donate to the Label Development Fund

Dec 2, 2025 Local Contexts is connected with Indigenous communities, institutions, researchers, and integration partners around the world. For the past 15 years, our relationships have helped us… …
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“Hub Updates, white text on decorative orange background. API Updates, Hub Updates

October 2025 Minor Hub Updates

Sep 17, 2025 The Local Contexts Hub will receive a minor update on October 1, 2025 UTC. The update will add ORCID functionality, Project contributor roles, and increased… …
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Omeka logo and Local Contexts certified integration partner logo. Announcement

Omeka certified as first Integration Partner

Sep 17, 2025 Omeka has become a certified Integration Partner on the Local Contexts Hub. “We are ecstatic to have Omeka become a certified Integration Partner, the first… …
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Headshot of Hop Hopkins Press Release

Introducing Local Contexts’ New Executive Director Press Release

Sep 2, 2025 The Local Contexts Council is pleased to welcome Hop Hopkins to the role of Executive Director. …
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UMass Amherst seal, University of Massachusetts and 1863 around edge with illustration of a tower in center. Announcement

UMass Amherst Libraries join Local Contexts as Subscriber

Aug 28, 2025 With subscription, UMass leading the way for transformational practice that connects Indigenous cultural authority to collections and research. …
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“Open data for people and purpose. GBIF establishes task group on Indigenous data governance.” Text on decorative background. Cropped illustration of a historic map, showing a tree and rainbow emerging from a mountain. Announcement, Resources

GBIF pilot using TK and BC Labels

Jul 28, 2025 Illustration, “Yggdrasill, the mundane tree,” by Finnur Magnússon, London: Henry G. Bohn, 1859. Map reproduction courtesy of the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center… …
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Comic panel showing four illustrated people looking at a plant specimen. An insert map shows Shinnecock Homelands today known as Long Island, New York. Two Label icons, TK Attribution and BC Provenance. Panel text: “Local Contexts: Restorying Sovereignty with Plant Relatives. The collaboration is advancing data sovereignty protocols and applying Local Contexts Labels, which recognise community provenance and create opportunities for connection and inclusion.” Resources

New comic about Local Contexts

Jun 6, 2025 “Local Contexts: Restorying Sovereignty with Plant Relatives” is a new comic that illustrates the collaboration between Shinnecock Nation, Local Contexts, and New York Botanical Garden… …
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“Notices in use: UTS ePress.” Screenshot of UTS ePress webpage for the Marana Dyaragali publication, which includes the Traditional Knowledge Notice. Decorative maroon background. Notices in Use

Notices in Use: Marana Dyargali, published by UTS ePress

May 16, 2025 Marana Dyargali is a collection of zines exploring Indigenous research ethics and the intersection of protocols and practice. Published by UTS ePress, Marana Dyargali was… …
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Event poster for Local Contexts webinar Tools to Support Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Cultural Authority. “How the Local Contexts Labels and Notices can be used to amplify Indigenous rights and interests in the Canadian context. Date March 20, 2025, 1-2 pm ET. Details and registration https://alliancecan.ca/en/latest/events/local-contexts-tools-support-indigenous-data-sovereignty-and-cultural-authority.” Resources, Talks

Digital Research Alliance of Canada Webinar

May 9, 2025 On March 20, Local Contexts team members Māui Hudson, Emily Santhanam, and Ashley Rojas presented a virtual webinar for the Digital Research Alliance of Canada,… …
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“Notices in use: Wilson Museum.” Screenshot of the Wilson Museum collections webpage, featuring the Local Contexts Open to Collaborate, Attribution Incomplete, and Traditional Knowledge Notices. The screenshot is on a decorative red background overlaid with an image of a stream and woodland area. Notices in Use

Notices in Use: The Wilson Museum Collections, Maine, USA

May 9, 2025 The Wilson Museum in Castine, Maine, USA, recently added the Open to Collaborate, Attribution Incomplete, and Traditional Knowledge Notices to the collection page on their… …
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Event poster. “Local Contexts Webinar: Hub Programs Q&A. This webinar will focus on recent updates to the Local Contexts Hub, including the launch of the Membership, Subscription, and Integration Partner programs. Date: 29 April 2025, 22:00 UTC. Details & Registration: https://localcontexts.org/event/hub-agreements-webinar/.” Decorative orange background. Hub Updates, Resources, Talks

Hub Programs Q&A Webinar

May 9, 2025 This webinar focused on recent updates to the Local Contexts Hub, including the launch of the Membership, Subscription, and Integration Partner programs.  The Local Contexts… …
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“Hub Updates, white text on decorative orange background. API Updates, Hub Updates

February 2025 Hub Updates

Feb 19, 2025 The Local Contexts Hub received a major update the week of February 10, 2025 (UTC). The update introduces Hub agreement programs, expanded account types and… …
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Text on a decorative yellow background: “[The] transition to more relational science practices is not only about more inclusive science, it is about upholding Indigenous Peoples’ sovereignty and self-determination, and adhering to the free, prior, and informed consent for engaging with data.” Lydia Jennings, Katherine Jones, Riley Taitingfong, Andrew Martinez, Dominique David-Chavez, Rosanna ‘Anolani Alegado, Adrien Tofighi-Niaki, Julie Maldonado, Bill Thomas, Dennis Dye, Jeff Weber, Katie V. Spellman, Scott Ketchum, Ruth Duerr, Noor Johnson, Jennifer Balch, & Stephanie Russo Carroll in “Governance of Indigenous Data in Open Earth Systems Science,” Nature Communications (2025)16:572, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53480-2. Articles, Resources

Advancing Indigenous Data Sovereignty in Earth Science

Feb 4, 2025 A recent Nature Communications article, “Governance of Indigenous Data in Open Earth Systems Science,” highlights the need for stronger Indigenous data governance in Earth science.… …
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Text on decorative green background. “Creating a world in which animals in museums are cared for in a culturally connected way requires first caring about identification. [Then we] can flag items for return or create opportunities for communities with ties to these remains to provide meaningful context for their care.” Jimmy Arterberry (Comanche Nation) from “Better Care Urged for Animal Remains Tied to Indigenous People,” by Amanda Heidt, Science Magazine (January 2, 2025). White Local Contexts logo in bottom right corner. Articles, Resources

​​Science Magazine Explores Need for Ethical Care and Handling of Animal Remains with Support from Local Contexts

Jan 16, 2025 In a recent Science magazine article “Better Care Urged for Animal Remains Tied to Indigenous People,” author Amanda Heidt explores the growing need for ethical… …
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Local Contexts 2024 Year in Review.” Portraits of team members: Diana Lovette, Dr. Janette Hamilton-Pearce, Stephany RunningHawk Johnson, Laure Haak, Corrie Roe, Seth Kurke, Ashley Rojas, Herbert Dawkins, Emily Santhanam, Sabeen Ammar, and Amy June Breesman, with the Local Contexts logo. Announcement

Local Contexts 2024 Highlights: A Year of Growth and Sustainability

Dec 26, 2024 As 2024 comes to a close, we at Local Contexts reflect on an extraordinary year dedicated to advancing Indigenous data sovereignty and governance. From team… …
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A graphic with a yellow and teal background divided into two sections, each featuring a quote. On the left: A quote from Stephany RunningHawk Johnson (Oglala Lakota Nation), Founding Executive Director of Local Contexts, reads: Articles, Resources

ORCID and Local Contexts Announce Partnership

Dec 20, 2024 In the article “Local Contexts and ORCID Partner to Advance Indigenous Data Sovereignty,” authored by Julie Petro, Director of Communications at ORCID, Local Contexts and… …
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“Notices in use: The Whyte Archive.” Screenshot of Whyte’s website object record page for “Pearl Moore’s Beaded Vest,” including an image of a decorated beaded vest and the Local Contexts Notices below. Decorative red background. Notices in Use

Notices in use: The Whyte Archives

Dec 13, 2024 The Whyte Archive is using Open to Collaborate and Attribution Incomplete Notices in its online collection page for “Pearl Moore’s Beaded Vest.” The Notices are… …
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“Workshop. Persistent Identifiers for Projects Community Dialogue. 15 October, 18:00 ET, 22:00 UTC. Datacite. Metadata Gamechangers.” Text on decorative blue background. Headshots of Greg Newman, Jane Anderson, Erin Robinson, Jamaica Jones, Shawn Ross, Ted Habermann, and Stephany RunningHawk Johnson. Talks

Persistent Identifiers for Projects Community Dialogue Workshop

Dec 11, 2024 The Local Contexts team recently joined a community dialogue session hosted by DataCite in partnership with Metadata Game Changers. This session engaged participants from the… …
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