Built on the First Nations Principles of OCAP
What is OCAP®?
The First Nations principles of OCAP® are a set of standards that establish how First Nations data should be collected, protected, used, or shared. OCAP® asserts that First Nations have control over data collection processes in their communities, and that they own and control how this information can be used.
What do the four “OCAP” principles mean?
Ownership This principle states that a community or group owns information collectively in the same way that an individual owns his or her personal information.
Control Affirms that First Nations, their communities, and representative bodies are within their rights in seeking to control over all aspects of research and information management processes that impact them.
Access Refers to the fact that First Nations must have access to information and data about themselves and their communities regardless of where it is held.
Possession While ownership identifies the relationship between a people and their information in principle, possession or stewardship is more concrete: it refers to the physical control of data.
The First Nations principles of OCAP® are a set of standards that establish how First Nations data should be collected, protected, used, or shared. OCAP® asserts that First Nations have control over data collection processes in their communities, and that they own and control how this information can be used.
What do the four “OCAP” principles mean?
Ownership This principle states that a community or group owns information collectively in the same way that an individual owns his or her personal information.
Control Affirms that First Nations, their communities, and representative bodies are within their rights in seeking to control over all aspects of research and information management processes that impact them.
Access Refers to the fact that First Nations must have access to information and data about themselves and their communities regardless of where it is held.
Possession While ownership identifies the relationship between a people and their information in principle, possession or stewardship is more concrete: it refers to the physical control of data.
OCAP® is a registered trademark of the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) learn more at www.FNIGC.ca/OCAP
