Indigenization

The Nutrien Digital Agriculture Centre’s (NDAC) Indigenization efforts are guided by the University Plan 2025 principle of nīkānītān manācihitowinihk / ni manachīhitoonaan (Let us lead with respect), and the College of Agriculture and Bioresources’ priority to deepen reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities.

Established alongside the kihci-okāwīmāw askiy (Great Mother Earth) Knowledge Centre, NDAC is committed to collaboration, respect for Indigenous governance and data sovereignty aligned with the First Nations principles of ownership, control, access and possession (OCAP). The NDAC director and the director of the kihci-okāwīmāw askiy Knowledge Centre meet quarterly.

To ensure that Indigenous communities are active partners and leaders in digital agriculture research, NDAC focuses its Indigenization work on four commitments:

• Data governance aligned with OCAP^® to ensure Indigenous ownership and control of data in all projects incorporating Indigenous data and knowledge.
• Co-development of geospatial and agronomic tools, combining community knowledge with remote-sensing data, soil and vegetation.
• Training and capacity building through workshops and seminars co-delivered with the kihci-okāwīmāw askiy Knowledge Centre.
• Relationship-based engagement, grounded in Ethical Space and long term, trust-based collaboration.