Strengthening Indigenous Language Data Collection: Challenges and Promising Practices
How can we ensure that data collection on Indigenous languages is accurate, ethical, and respectful of community realities?
As we approach the mid-term review of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032), it’s crucial to address the challenges—and share the solutions—around gathering meaningful data.
This side-event is taking place on Wednesday 23 April between 6:15 and 8:00 p.m. at the Millennium Hilton Hotel, One UN Plaza, Diplomat Ballroom, 2nd floor, East tower, New York.
Mandatory registration: Click HERE to register!
Food will be provided. Interpretation will be available in English, French and Spanish. You must bring a cellphone and earphones in order to access interpretation services.
This side-event is organized in the margins of the 24th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
PROGRAMME
6:15 – 6:45 – Registration and refreshments
6:45 – 6:55 – Traditional welcome and opening remarks
- Chief Wilton Littlechild, International Chief, Former Member, Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Canada)
- Maren Benedicte Nystad Storslett, Member of the Governing Council of the Sámi Parliament (Norway)
- Ronald E. Ignace Stsmél̓qen, Commissioner of Indigenous Languages in Canada
6:55 – 7:30 – Panel Presentation
- Moderator – Dr. Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine, Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa, Co-Principal Investigator for the Ărramăt Project, President of the Association Tinhinan, Chair of the Board of Directors at Land is Life (Mali/Canada)
- Mary Jane Norris, Researcher in Indigenous languages in Canada
- Vivian O’Donnell, Director of the Analysis and Data Development team, Centre for Indigenous Statistics and Partnerships, Statistics Canada
- Anders Sønstebø, Senior Advisor for Statistics Norway
7:30 – 7:45 – Audience Q & A
7:45 – 8:00 – Closing remarks and traditional music
- Lounes Belkacem, Co-Chair of the Global Task Force for Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages
- Olivier Boulette, Métis Fiddler (Canada)
THEME
This event will focus on the integral role of data collection and statistics in the monitoring and evaluation of UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032), supporting better planning, decision-making, and the exchange of information and knowledge.
The Decade draws attention to the urgent need to maintain, revitalize, promote, and use Indigenous languages across all socio-cultural, economic, environmental, and political domains. In order to assess the progress being made, it is necessary to develop relevant measurement and assessment strategies to effectively gather necessary data. However, challenges persist in collecting data on Indigenous languages due to variations in definitions, inapplicability of standard questions, inaccessibility of rural communities, and differing approaches to data governance.
This event brings together representatives from relevant fields to discuss these challenges and share wise practices and solutions for more accurate, dynamic, and ethical data collection methods. It will also facilitate dialogue between government representatives and Indigenous communities to ensure that data collection processes meet and respect the needs of Indigenous Peoples.