Indigenous Communities
AI must serve Indigenous peoples on their terms — respecting data sovereignty, preserving languages, and centering community needs.
Over 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Canada
Canada is home to more than 70 distinct Indigenous languages across First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. Many of these languages are endangered — some spoken by fewer than 500 people. AI has the potential to help preserve and revitalize these languages, but only if developed in partnership with the communities themselves.
Indigenous data sovereignty is a fundamental principle. The First Nations principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession) must guide any AI work that involves Indigenous data. This is not optional — it is an ethical and legal requirement that reflects Canada's commitment to reconciliation.
AI also has the potential to improve service delivery in remote Indigenous communities — from telehealth to education to government services — but it must be co-designed with these communities, not imposed from outside.
Our initiatives
Language Preservation Research
Studying how AI tools — speech recognition, translation, text generation — can support Indigenous language preservation efforts, in partnership with language keepers and community leaders.
OCAP®-Compliant AI Frameworks
Developing practical guidelines for building AI systems that respect Indigenous data sovereignty principles from the ground up.
Community-Led AI Design
Facilitating partnerships between AI researchers and Indigenous communities to ensure technology development is driven by community needs and priorities.
Remote Service Delivery
Researching how AI can improve access to healthcare, education, and government services in remote and northern Indigenous communities.