Our Story, Our Data

Created by Mi’gmaq artist and storyteller Brandon Mitchell of Listuguj First Nation, this animated video shares the journey, relationships, and principles that shaped the development of SILR's Data Sovereignty Declaration and Care Taking Directives.

About the video

Our Story shares the story of Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization and the work being undertaken to support Indigenous languages and the people and communities connected to them.

The video reflects SILR’s commitment to approaches to language revitalization that recognize the importance of Indigenous knowledge, community relationships, and Indigenous authority over language and knowledge. These principles are closely connected to SILR’s work in Indigenous data sovereignty, including the development of the Data Sovereignty Declaration and Caretaking Directives.

Together, these resources speak to the importance of ensuring that Indigenous communities and knowledge holders have a meaningful role in determining how their languages, knowledge, stories, and recordings are shared, used, cared for, and protected.

Through animation and storytelling, Our Story provides an accessible way to engage with the ideas and commitments that underpin SILR’s work.

Creator / Project Information

Our Story honours the many individuals whose vision, wisdom, creativity, and care helped shape Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization's Indigenous Data Sovereignty journey.

Produced by Pamela McCoy Jones
Written and Directed by Brandon Mitchell
Animation by Mikey Melendres Narration by Natasha Martin-Mitchell
"Grandmother Song" by Leo McGilvery
Vocals by the SILR Research Team

We offer our deepest gratitude to the Elders, Language Keepers, and Knowledge Holders whose guidance and wisdom informed this work:

Molly Chisaakay
Doreen Frencheater Daychief
Elmer Ghostkeeper
Mary Cardinal Collins
Laurie Moyah

We also acknowledge the members of the SILR Research Team and Leadership whose dedication, collaboration, and commitment to Indigenous language revitalization and Indigenous Data Sovereignty made this work possible:

Joline Bull
Velvalee Georges
Sherryl Sewepagaham
Crystal Wood
Davina Rousell
Shuvo Saha
Florence Glanfield
Dale Askey

This video represents one story of relationship-building, learning, stewardship, and collective responsibility. It is shared in the spirit of supporting Indigenous Nations, communities, organizations, and peoples as they imagine and develop their own approaches to Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Related Resource

Data Sovereignty Declaration
Learn more about SILR's commitments to Indigenous data sovereignty, including the principles and responsibilities outlined in the Data Sovereignty Declaration and Caretaking Directives.