From Stewardship to Sovereignty: Transforming Indigenous Data Rights into Collective Authority for Global Equity and Sustainability Frameworks

Indigenous peoples are the stewards of some of the planet’s most vital ecosystems. Despite deriving from millennia-old knowledge systems, Indigenous contributions to global sustainability efforts often go unrecognized in international governance and development frameworks (i.e., SDGs and GBF). Indigenous data rights (IDSov and IDGov)—centered on the principles of sovereignty, ethics, control, and equity—present an opportunity to reshape these frameworks for custodial social-ecological futures. The transformative power of Indigenous data rights highlights how critical they are to advancing self-determination, regenerating cultural heritage, and addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic inequities. Through a comprehensive biocultural lens, Indigenous data rights provide actionable pathways to integrate Indigenous designs into global governance systems, most notably Indigenous Sustainable Development Goals (ISDGs). The urgency for action underscores collective commitment to justice-driven accountability in global sustainability pledges and structures. The creation of fair and just frameworks must first correct the institutionalization of Indigenous data sovereignty and affirm Indigenous leadership, self-determination, collective governance, and authority. For external entities (i.e., settler nation-states) to facilitate knowledge systems exchange with Indigenous communities, it is essential that biocultural diversity is honored and accredited: only then can they work to foster resilience in the face of shared challenges.