Authors: Brit Johnston, Frédéric Julien, and Anju Singh
This report explores how descriptive information about Indigenous artists can be accurately and respectfully represented as linked open data in Wikidata, an open knowledge base.
The report describes the user experiences of Indigenous artists vis-a-vis Wikidata, as documented over the course of multiple consultation processes. The report identifies good practices for populating information about Indigenous artists, their practices and their works in Wikidata. It also offers a series of recommendations for the Wikimedia community.
This report was published as part of the Linked Digital Future Initiative, which is funded by the Government of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Table of Contents
Summary
Background
Introduction
Research Questions
Assumptions
Objectives
Methodology
Pre-Consultation Process
Biases
Consultation Process
Key Findings
Indigenous Identification
Provenance
Artistic & Cultural Practices
Denoting Indigeneity of Works
Indigenous Organizations
Summary of Findings
“Nothing About Us Without Us”
Colonial Structures are a Shared Concern for Indigenous Artists
“Ethnic group” is a problematic term for denoting Indigenous identities
Summary of Recommendations for the Wikidata Community
Original work of art on report cover: Mike Alexander, Animiiki, 2022, oil on canvas.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 International License.
Report cover images are available in different version under the same license via Wikimedia Commons.
