By John Saulo, Buledya
Across the Australian Public Service, data plays a central role in how decisions are made, services are delivered and outcomes are measured. From policy development to program implementation, public servants engage with data every day. A significant proportion of data relating to First Nations peoples is generated through research, evaluation and consultation processes, in addition to administrative and service delivery systems.
Yet when it comes to First Nations data, the way that data is understood and approached is still evolving.
First Nations data sovereignty is often discussed in policy or strategic contexts, but for many, it can feel distant from day-to-day work. In practice, however, it is highly relevant. Whether collecting, analysing or using data, APS staff are part of systems that shape how First Nations information is represented, interpreted and applied.
One of the key challenges is understanding who data belongs to. In many cases, data is collected through research processes involving individuals, but that data is often connected to broader community knowledge, identity and experience. This creates a tension between different forms of ownership and authority: the individual who provides the data, the community it relates to, the organisation collecting it, and the institutions that ultimately use it.
Image provided by Buledya
These tensions are not always visible within existing systems, which are often designed around individual consent and institutional control. From a First Nations perspective however, data is not simply an asset to be collected and managed—it is connected to community, culture and relationships, and requires different approaches to governance and decision-making. These tensions highlight the need to move from models of ownership toward models of custodianship and shared responsibility.
Understanding this is becoming a baseline requirement. First Nations data sovereignty is not an optional or specialised area of knowledge—it is a foundational capability that supports more informed, respectful and effective engagement with First Nations communities.
A key shift is moving beyond a compliance mindset. Data collection is often framed in terms of requirements, reporting and obligations, including in research and evaluation contexts. While these are important, they do not fully capture the responsibility that comes with working with First Nations data. This data is not neutral—it is connected to people, communities and cultural knowledge.
In practice, these systems can have unintended consequences. Through working with Aboriginal organisations, there are consistent examples of funding and research processes being tied to reporting frameworks that do not reflect how work is actually delivered, or the impact it creates. Organisations may be required to report against measures that are not meaningful in their context, or participate in research processes that extract information without clear benefit or ongoing involvement. In some cases, this can contribute to organisations losing funding, despite delivering real value in their communities.
These insights are reinforced through the Buledya report on First Nations data sovereignty, which draws on discussions with Elders, community leaders, technologists and policymakers on the future of data governance in Australia. We held a series of dinners to discuss this in 2025 across Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.
Image provided by Buledya
The report highlights that data governance is not culturally neutral, and that effective approaches must recognise community authority, ongoing consent, and the relational nature of data.
Approaching data as a responsibility means recognising these connections and considering the broader context in which data exists. It means asking different questions about how data is collected, who it represents, and how it is used. It also means being aware of the limitations of existing systems and processes, and where they may not align with First Nations perspectives.
There is growing recognition across government that improving outcomes for First Nations peoples requires changes not only in policy, but in practice. Data is a key part of this. By building a stronger understanding of First Nations data sovereignty, APS staff can begin to apply more informed approaches in their work, regardless of their role or level of experience.
A MasterCraft Series event session explores these ideas in a practical and accessible way. It provides an introduction to First Nations data sovereignty grounded in real-world experience, with a focus on how it applies across different areas of the APS. Participants gain insights that can support more responsible and culturally aware approaches to data in their everyday work.