Symposium on Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Symposium Venue Information & Agenda
Date and Time
Friday, March 27, 2026
8:30AM - 2:30PM EDT
Location
Smith Campus Center | 1350 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA 02138
10th Floor, Glass Box
* On main level, check-in at security desk with government ID to gain access to the elevators
Individual Overnight Oats with Fresh Berries, Fresh Fruit Salad, Gluten-Free Pastries, Assorted Scones and Chilled Hard-Boiled Eggs seasoned with Salt, Pepper, and Fresh Dill
Coffee & Tea
Dr. Randy Akee - Moderator
Dr. Jane Anderson – Speaking on the importance of data provenance, meta-data and the importance of national and international standards; IEEE Data Provenance Standard
Dr. Stephanie Russo Carroll – Speaking on the governance of data and the CARE Principles
Dr. Lydia Jennings – Speaking on environmental data and governance mechanisms; including global biodiversity data and how Indigenous communities are navigating with the push for Artificial Intelligence in agriculture.
Food and drink options in the Smith Center
Dr. Trisha Kehau Watson, Honua Consulting - Moderator
Brandon Alkire, Minnesota Indian Affairs Council – Speaking on the impacts and benefits of Nation-to-Nation relations on the state of Minnesota
Robert Maxim, Brookings Institution – Data for Policy Analysis
Dr. Desi Small-Rodriguez, UCLA - Indigenous Data Use in Tribal research, practice and policy
*All sandwiches on GF bread
GRAYS ~ Farmhouse Turkey, Cheddar, Arugula, Ranch Mayo
HOLDEN ~ Ham and Brie, Caramelized Apple, Coleslaw, Honey Mustard, Field Greens
BOYLSTON ~ Roasted Portobello Mushroom, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, White Bean Spread, Baby Spinach (Vgn)
Amy Besaw Medford, Harvard Project, Moderator
Data products that CICD has developed and utilized in their research efforts over the past decade with Casey Lozar.
Dee Alexander, US Census Bureau (invited), Moderator
This session will focus on the role of geographic data in understanding the American Indian and Alaskan Native population and Tribal Areas. It will discuss the role that geographic measurement plays in enabling data linkage across data sources and geographic regions, existing obstacles, and opportunities for improvement and collaboration. Madeline Sovich (invited)
Food and drink options in the Smith Center
Mark Lopez, Pew Research Center Moderator
This session will focus on the current research project estimating GDP-like measures for Tribal Reservation lands. We’ll present some preliminary data and analysis and discuss the ways in which this type of partnership may progress in the future and the potential benefits for tribal nations, advocacy groups and researchers. It will focus on pathways to enable data sharing, obstacles for data sharing, and safeguarding of Indigenous Peoples’ data. Carl Sanders (invited), Carla Medalia (invited), Cass Dorius (invited)
Sallie Keller (invited), Stephanie Carroll and Randy Akee Moderators
About the Symposium
This symposium explores emerging global and national efforts to strengthen Indigenous data governance and sovereignty. Central to the discussion is IEEE 2890-2025 Recommended Practice for Provenance of Indigenous Peoples’ Data, the first international standard establishing guidance for documenting the origins, stewardship, and movement of data relating to Indigenous Peoples. Developed through an Indigenous-led international collaboration and approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the standard supports more transparent and accountable data practices across research, technology, and policy contexts. Featuring perspectives from leaders and practitioners—including representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau—the symposium will explore how evolving standards and federal initiatives can advance ethical partnerships, strengthen nation-to-nation data relationships, and support Indigenous authority over data about their communities.
Harvard Project Statement of Responsibility
The Project on Indigenous Governance and Development at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School affirms a responsibility to advance the self-determined governance and flourishing of Indigenous nations, while helping Harvard live up to its historic commitments to Indigenous education and leadership.
Getting Around Cambridge
The event location--Smith Campus Center--serves as the welcoming hub of student life for the Harvard community, and establishes a common space for visitors to campus. Steps away from Harvard Yard, the Smith Center is walking distance to bookstores, retail shops, restaurants, coffee shops, CVS, museums, and Harvard's Cambridge campus. It is also one block from the Harvard MBTA stop.
