According to First Nations Information Centre (2014), OCAP first paper was put on paper in 2002. Since then, OCAP has emerged as the authority in terms of standards by which all research on First Nations is to be conducted. Similarly, OCAP has increased its scope to include governance research for informing policy-making by First Nations’ governments. OCAP has been used all over First Nations to assert rights of ownership and usage of data by setting standards. Therefore, this paper summarizes and reviews the article OCAP regarding First Nations’ information governance.
Importance and Development of OCAP
OCAP continues to dictate and direct how First Nations research is written and viewed. One of the doctrines of OCAP is to ensure that any research or data gathered is meant for the wellbeing of the community, and should not to be used to do harm to the people. OCAP also outlines how this data is to be owned and how it can be used. Quality data is important for governments to formulate useful policies, and demonstrate accountability and transparency. This information notifies evidence-based decision making and monitoring. The information is also important for other organizations such as learning institutions and private entities. The information is used to bridge well-being gaps as well as the creation of a better communication environment (Steffler, 2016).
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Nonetheless, OCAP has been criticized as a new way of re-introducing colonialism. This is due to the claim that the gathering and usage of information are mostly for political reasons. As such, several incidences have emerged to support this claim especially on the issue of privacy and protection of personal data (First Nations Information Centre, 2014). As pointed out by Steffler (2016), prior to the establishment of OCAP, there was minimal useful data on indigenous people available to First Nations. He attributed this problem to the nature in which indigenous research was conducted.
Most surveys and research on indigenous communities were conducted in isolation, and with little or no necessary input from the affected communities. This raised complaints from some groups such as the Aboriginal people who claimed that they had been researched to death (Steffler, 2016). Another problem regarding data collection and privacy was demonstrated by the lack of intervention by the Canadian government to protect the health data of its people and the selling of the same to pharmaceutical companies for their own research use without the consent of people (First Nations Information Centre, 2014).
How Information Management and Research Have Tried to Adapt
In response to complaints on data mismanagement, the Canadian First Nations communities have adopted ethical guidelines and standards to guide how data is collected, shared and used. This is done through the code of conduct, which affirms ownership, control, access and possession of all research procedures touching on communities. Thus, OCAP handles issues of data protection, secondary data use, the possession of data, together with intellectual property protection. All researchers are supposed to consult their organizations to ensure they operate within the guidelines of OCAP (First Nations Information Centre, 2014). In order to ensure proper information management and protection, ethical boards have been established to enforce OCAP guidelines adopted by First Nations in Canada. This ensures that researchers are held accountable, and do not use their power gap to undermine participants. These bodies acknowledge OCAP as representative of universal values held by all First Nations without giving any particular group preferential treatment.
First Nations Inherent Rights and Jurisdiction over Information and Research
First Nations have intrinsic rights and authority over data and research within their communities. This is as a result of the comprehension that information and data are resources and have value. Information can be used in decision-making processes and inform policy formation and the designing of programs. First Nations’ information is valuable to both First Nations communities and other societies since it can be employed in academic prestige and progression. Furthermore, the information has financial value to profit-making companies such as pharmaceutical companies. However, this information can be used for wrong motives harming participants through stigmatization and discrimination of the affected communities and individuals. According to First Nations Information Centre (2017), only First Nations have the potential and moral right to strike a balance on the harm and benefit of data collected from them. It is, therefore, true that First Nations own their information, and have a right in dictating how it should be managed. Hence, First Nations should be consulted and involved in every step of research.
The First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) and the First Nations Regional Health Survey
The Assembly of First Nations Chiefs Committee on Health recommended that an investigation is conducted after four years in regard to the health of First Nations. The original survey was conducted in 1997 to recognize the necessities of First Nations to control their information. Additionally, follow up surveys and reviews were conducted to ascertain the wellbeing of the communities. When a private review was conducted, Harvard University found out that the Regional Health Survey was technically rigorous. This was credited to the constant involvement and cooperation of the First Nations in the survey. As a result, a code of conduct was formulated to guide the evolving needs of the Regional health survey such as information governance and how it would adopt OCAP (First Nations Information Centre, 2017).
Myths and Obstacles affecting the implementation of OCAP Principles
OCAP principles have been effectively embraced by many First Nations throughout Canada in the running of information management systems. However, there still exist several challenges and resistance from governments, research bodies, and institutions of learning. These problems are either real or myths. One of the challenges to OCAP is the legal provisions under which data is managed. Although the law ensures the privacy of personal data, the aggregate reports on demographics are not protected as the data is freely accessible (First Nations Information Centre, 2014). There is also a myth that deficiency in knowledge is an obstruction. However, this is a primary barrier to comprehending OCAP. First Nations should, therefore, continue to educate themselves on OCAP to eliminate this perception. Another challenge is the institutional barrier, which is caused by negative cultures of some organizations (First Nations Information Centre, 2014).
The academic barrier consists of obstructions presented by the cultures of learning institutions, especially where they believe that they own the information collected. Bureaucratic culture is also a huge hindrance to the adoption of OCAP. As such, organizations need to adopt a flexible culture that accommodates First Nations in the collection and usage of information. Lack of capacity is also another problem facing the adoption of OCAP. First Nations need to develop the capacity to ensure that they take charge of their information (First Nations Information Centre, 2014).
Conclusion
OCAP stands for an important cause and presents a perfect opportunity for best practices when collecting, using and disclosing data and information from First Nations. It is, therefore, vital to engage First Nations in the data collection procedures and the management of data. Though data is a useful tool in informing decision-making processes and in programming designs all over the world, there is the need to ensure that the interests of participants are acknowledged and protected. Informed consent should also be sought before the collection of personal data from participants.
References
First Nations Information Center, (2017). Understanding the Fundamentals of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession, OCAP. Retrieved from https://www.stratejuste.ca/uploads/3/1/8/4/31849453/ocap_pres_feb_2017.pdf
First Nations Information Center, (2014). Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP™): The Path to First Nations Information Governance
Steffler. J., (2016). The Indigenous Data Landscape in Canada: An Overview, 5(2), 2016, 149-164, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5663/aps.v5i2.26992
