Rectifying Genocidal Data Stewardship: A Commentary on Ethical and Legal Obligations for Sharing Data With Tribal Entities

TL;DR

This commentary argues for ethical and legal improvements in sharing public health data with Tribal Nations to support their communities' well-being.

Contribution

The paper proposes new pathways for data sharing and emphasizes education, policy, and federal trust responsibility for Tribal data stewardship.

Findings

Tribal Nations can benefit significantly from access to public health data.

Renewed investment in Tribal data science education is essential for long-term health outcomes.

Federal trust responsibility must include support for Tribal data resources.

Abstract

Access and the ability to work with Tribal data can vastly improve the ability of Tribal Nations to support their citizens’ health and well-being. In this commentary, we expand on previous calls for state and federal public health agencies to share data with Tribes by default. Previous research has described the legal and ethical lay of the land concerning public health data sharing while underscoring the importance of respect for Tribal sovereignty. In this commentary, we expand on this argument by proposing additional pathways through which data can benefit Tribes and identifying critical steps for Tribes to fully benefit from Tribal data. Specifically, we argue for (1) renewed interest and investment in Tribal data science education; (2) proactive data practices, laws, and policies that support long-term health and well-being; and (3) the federal government honoring its trust responsibility to support Tribal data resources.