Digital Ethics and Reconciliation in Libraries and Archives

Abstract

This comprehensive report explores ethical issues related to digital libraries and the curation of digital objects that have been co-created with Indigenous communities. This may include faculty research data, archival materials, or digitized materials. Based on extensive consultation with Indigenous researchers, research partners, libraries, and archives, the report contains recommendations and guiding principles for libraries and archives that are working in allyship with Indigenous communities. Building on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, the OCAP principles, and UNDRIP, the report emphasizes ethical approaches based on repatriation and decolonization of materials, digital surrogates, and descriptive metadata. Many case studies are included to help illustrate each of the guiding principles.