About the BC Regional Information Governance Centre (RIGC)

For many years, First Nations in BC have been advancing data sovereignty as a foundational enabler to the right of self-government and self-determination. This includes providing leadership to the development of the national First Nations Data Governance Strategy which calls for the establishment of First Nations Regional Information Governance Centres (RIGCs) across the country. 

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) has been mandated by resolution to advance the BC First Nations RIGC equipped with the knowledge, skills, and infrastructure needed to serve the information needs of First Nations governments. A BC First Nations Data Governance Working Group, supported by a technical project team, has been established to lead this effort.

The BC First Nations Regional Data Governance Working Group is composed of:

• Chair: Gwen Phillips, BC Regional Board member to the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC)

• Chief Lynda Price, Board Director, British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) 

• Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC)

• Cheryl Casimer, First Nations Summit (FNS) Political Executive Member 

An allocation from Federal Budget 2021 has been received to solidify the foundation for a BC RIGC and secure permanent federal funding commitments through development and submission of a business plan. 

This introductory video provides further information:

Following are the progress reports issued by the BC First Nations Regional Information Governance Centre (BC RIGC) to First Nations in BC.

Progress Report: Implementation of the First Nations Data Governance Strategy in BC (August 2023)

BC First Nations Regional Information Governance Centre Progress Report

The RIGC can provide up to three free training seats for the FNIGC's Fundamentals of OCAP training to any First Nation that completes the Data Capacity Needs Assessment Tool and shares the results with the BC RIGC project team.

Registration in the course customarily costs $500 per person. 

What you will learn:

This fully online, self-directed training course introduces the OCAP principles in a welcoming and culturally engaging way. It takes learners on a journey through the importance of First Nations ownership, control, access, and possession of First Nations data and provides the background needed to exercise data sovereignty and assert and apply the OCAP principles. 

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the principles of OCAP®.

• Understand key foundational concepts for OCAP® such as Data Sovereignty and Information Governance.

• Understand First Nations collective rights, and the difference between asserting and respecting OCAP®.

• Connect the context and importance of OCAP® to your current work or role.

If you are interested in taking the course, please contact rigc@fns.bc.ca.