What's Happening?
An Indigenous-led research team, supported by a CAISI Research Program grant from CIFAR, is developing 'Ask Mishomis,' a digital repository designed to make research accessible to First Nations communities while maintaining data authority within their
hands. Jacob Taylor, Executive Director of the National Indigenous Economic Prosperity Institute, and Victoria Lemieux, a professor emerita at the University of British Columbia, are co-leading the initiative. The platform utilizes retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), an AI technique that draws answers directly from verified research, enabling community leaders to access complex reports in plain language. Unlike commercial AI systems, Ask Mishomis operates on Clio-X, a decentralized, blockchain-based infrastructure, allowing communities to control access to their information. This approach aims to prevent the historical misuse of Indigenous data, which has often been taken without consent and used to enforce assimilation policies.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is crucial for addressing the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities regarding data sovereignty and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. By decentralizing data infrastructure and grounding its governance in the Cree concept of wâhkôhtowin, which emphasizes relationships, Ask Mishomis offers a model for responsible AI development that respects cultural values and community ownership. The project directly counters the risk of modern AI systems repeating past harms by extracting cultural knowledge without permission or spreading biased information. It empowers First Nations communities to control their narratives and benefit economically from their data, aligning with calls for Indigenous participation in the modern economy. This approach could set a precedent for how AI is developed and deployed in other marginalized communities, ensuring technology serves their interests rather than exploiting them.
What's Next?
The team is currently conducting campus surveys, workshops, and discussions rooted in Indigenous methodologies to design the system, adhering to the First Nations Principles of OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession). This deliberate, consensus-building process, described as 'moving at the speed of trust,' contrasts with the rapid pace of the tech sector. With CIFAR's support, there is a long-term vision for communities to eventually own the hardware nodes under the Clio-X infrastructure, allowing them to receive economic value when their data contributes to broader activities. This aligns with Call to Action 92 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which advocates for fostering Indigenous participation in the economy. The project's continued development will focus on strengthening relationships and ensuring local control over AI systems and data governance.
Beyond the Headlines
The 'Ask Mishomis' project highlights a fundamental shift in how AI governance can be conceptualized, moving away from top-down regulatory frameworks towards community-led, culturally informed approaches. The use of a decentralized, blockchain-based infrastructure for data sovereignty has profound implications for ethical AI, offering a tangible solution to issues of data ownership and consent that are often overlooked in mainstream AI development. This initiative challenges the prevailing notion that technological advancement must occur at a rapid pace, demonstrating the value of deliberate, trust-building processes. It also underscores the importance of integrating Indigenous worldviews, such as 'Two-Eyed Seeing,' into scientific and technological endeavors, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for AI. The project's emphasis on relationships over technical output suggests a paradigm shift in how success in AI development is measured.
