Understanding Digital Maturity States for Indigenous Nations

Welcome to the third post in our Indigenous Data Sovereignty series.  In our first post, we gave an overview of this complex issue, and how the care and control of your Nation's data is integral to the well-being of your community. In our last post we shared our Indigenous Digital Maturity Assessment Tool (DMA) as a first step in the journey to data sovereignty. 

The results of the DMA give you a first glimpse into the state of your Nation's data. What are these different states and what do they mean?  We explore the different data states in today's blog post with an explanation of each one.  Once you've determined where you are at, please reach out if you are interested in speaking to one of data sovereignty team to assist you with next steps! We'd love to chat.

Check out all of our Indigenous Data Sovereignty services here.

Review: What is a Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA)?

A Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) is a comprehensive approach to evaluating a Nation or organization’s capacity to use and engage with digital technologies (software, databases, websites, and backup/storage, for example). A DMA is a questionnaire that assesses technology, skills, processes and procedures across several areas including how data is collected and stored and how it is used within your community. Once a baseline is established, an organization can then build on and prioritize initiatives that will have the greatest impact on their pursuit of data sovereignty.

In case you missed it, you can access the tool below: 

What are the different data states, and what do they mean?

Once you fill out the DMA, you will receive a score, which reflects the state of your Nation's data.  This establishes your baseline and gives a clearer picture of where you are at.  Knowing where you're at, makes it much easier to figure out where you need to go!

States of Digital Maturity  

Reactive 

A Nation that is “reactive” is in the early stage of adopting digital tools. In a reactive state, a Nation uses digital tools only for certain things. Staff and leadership use manual, paper-based workflows. There is no process to manage data. There is a lack of support and direction from leadership. 

Next Steps: 

• Needs Assessment: Assess current digital capacity. This will allow your Nation to identify areas to improve 

• Identify Data Stewards: These team members will help plan a change to using digital tools 

• Build Awareness: Build awareness of the importance of having a digital strategy 

Responsive 

A Nation that is in a “responsive” state has started to use digital workflows. Such a Nation has begun to use digital tools, but still uses old systems as well.  

Next Steps: 

• Current State Assessment: Evaluate your Nation’s existing level of use of digital tools: where are you at? Where would you like to be? 

• Create an Action Plan: Develop a plan that outlines steps, timelines, milestones, and needed resources 

• Develop Data Governance Structures: Create a plan to manage digital data. Assign roles and responsibilities to ensure the plan becomes reality  

Strategic 

A Nation in a “strategic state” uses data and digital tools to make day-to-day work easier. Strategic Nations use digital tools and data as part of their overall plan. Staff and leadership use digital tools in daily operations. The Nation is working on policies to guide data management. They provide training and capacity building to staff. This improves their ability to use digital tools. 

Next steps: 

• Development a Digital Strategy: Create a strategy to meet short-term and long-term goals  

• Develop Data Governance Policies: Create policies on data management, security, and ethical use of data 

• Develop Data Management Strategy: Create a strategy to support goals and initiatives 

• Support Digital Capacity Development: Provide digital skills training and capacity building to build digital literacy and skills among staff 

Comprehensive 

A Nation in a “comprehensive state” has a digital plan that is established across departments. There are policies for data management and governance. There is a high level of digital literacy among staff. Digital technologies and data result in innovation. 

Next Steps: 

• Revitalize Indigenous Laws and Protocols: Integrate Indigenous laws, ceremonies, and protocols into data governance and management. This will build in respect for Indigenous sovereignty and culture 

• Enhance Data Security and Privacy: Assess security risks and in existing systems and processes. Put in place security and privacy plans to protect sensitive information and follow protocols, laws, and regulations 

• Implement Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: Find areas for improvement, and make sure that plans will help meet goals and support future improvements 

Predictive 

A Nation in a “predictive” state uses digital technologies and data to address future needs ahead of time. A digitally predictive Nation drives digital integration. This includes the Nation’s daily operations and the bigger picture. The Nation uses decision-making processes that consider data. This allows for a fast response to digital trends and challenges.  

Next Steps: 

• Planning: Anticipate challenges and opportunities and develop strategies and responses ahead of time. 

• Continuous Innovation: Encourage staff to explore new technologies and methods to solve problems and improve services 

• Advanced Data Analytics: Use digital tools to analyze large datasets. Analysis will help to predict future trends 

Join us on the journey to learn about harnessing the power of data and how it can ultimately lead to greater control and a path to self determination grounded in truth.  

Stay tuned for future posts in this series.

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Read about our Data Sovereignty services here. Better yet, reach out to our team to discuss your Nation's needs:

About Us: Shared Value Solutions

We are a Canadian B Corp, and we assist Indigenous communities with support throughout regulatory processes surrounding major development projects like mines, hydroelectric facilities, transmission lines, highway expansions, oil and gas pipelines, natural resource transport applications and nuclear power. 

We have deep context and experience behind the recommendations we provide, having worked for our clients on almost every major project in Canada over the last 10 years. For us, it’s all about building long-term relationships with our clients. We want to get to know you and what you want to do so we can help you move your plans forward. 

• Reviews of Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements

• Indigenous Land Use Studies, Indigenous Knowledge Studies, Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Studies, Community Cultural Values Mapping

• Strategic Regulatory and Environmental Assessment Process Support

• First Nation Environmental Management Planning

• First Nation Land Code communities
• Indigenous Guardian programs
• Impact Benefit Agreements: technical and regulatory support for negotiations
• Indigenous Jurisdiction initiatives: joint management agreements and co-management agreements
• Community-based Indigenous environmental monitoring
• Indigenous Land Use Planning
• Participant funding negotiation and application support
• Multimedia Storytelling