Defining OCAP
The AFN document outlines the four principles of OCAP as follows (see AFN document, p.5):
Ownership refers to the relationship of a First Nation to its cultural knowledge, data and information in all forms. This information is owned collectively by the Nation.
Control reflects the aspirations and inherent rights of First Nations to regain control of all aspects of their lives, including the control of their information. This includes aspects of research such as the distribution of resources, policy development and implementation, review processes, formulation of conceptual frameworks, and approaches to data management.
Access refers to the right to of First Nations to gain access to information and data about their communities wherever it is held. This includes the right to manage and make decisions regarding access to information.
Possession is a mechanism that First Nations use to assert and protect their ownership of information. When First Nations data is in the possession of external organizations, there is often little to no control over its management. By retaining the possession of data and information, First Nations gain increased protection.
Since each First Nation is unique, approaches to OCAP take very different forms across Canada. The principles therefore stress that each individual First Nation has the sole right to determine how research protocols are interpreted and enforced. It is the community itself that decides what OCAP means and how information about them is collected, managed, analyzed, and disseminated.
As First Nations continue to develop the capacity to manage research in their communities, they work with various partners. To ensure that OCAP principles are met, these partners are required to engage First Nations in each step of the research process. First Nations also retain ownership and control over the products generated through this work. Partners benefit since the knowledge generated is high quality and accurate, given that it is collected and interpreted in cooperation with the people involved.
In short, as a holistic approach to research, OCAP principles place community at their core.
The Regional Health Survey (RHS) is a longitudinal survey under First Nations control. Started in 1997, the national survey is coordinated at the regional level, and involves a partnership between the First Nations Information Governance Centre and Health Canada. It examines issues related to health and wellness, and generates data for communities and researchers.
In the past, large numbers of First Nations people living on-reserve were excluded from major national health surveys, due to the difficulties of accessing remote communities and resistance among some people in participating in government research. The lack of information meant that health authorities did not know such basic information as the number of First Nations people with diabetes. This was a barrier in creating effective programs and policies to improve the health of First Nations people.
The RHS has corrected this information deficiency. Working with regional First Nations organizations and communities, it collects information about the physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, environmental, economic and social factors that determine health. Read about a new initiative from the First Nations Information Governance Centre that is related to this work - the First Nations Regional Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey (FNREEES, or REEES for short).
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The AFN document outlines the four principles of OCAP as follows (see AFN document, p.5):
Ownership refers to the relationship of a First Nation to its cultural knowledge, data and information in all forms. This information is owned collectively by the Nation.
Control reflects the aspirations and inherent rights of First Nations to regain control of all aspects of their lives, including the control of their information. This includes aspects of research such as the distribution of resources, policy development and implementation, review processes, formulation of conceptual frameworks, and approaches to data management.
Access refers to the right to of First Nations to gain access to information and data about their communities wherever it is held. This includes the right to manage and make decisions regarding access to information.
Possession is a mechanism that First Nations use to assert and protect their ownership of information. When First Nations data is in the possession of external organizations, there is often little to no control over its management. By retaining the possession of data and information, First Nations gain increased protection.
Since each First Nation is unique, approaches to OCAP take very different forms across Canada. The principles therefore stress that each individual First Nation has the sole right to determine how research protocols are interpreted and enforced. It is the community itself that decides what OCAP means and how information about them is collected, managed, analyzed, and disseminated.
As First Nations continue to develop the capacity to manage research in their communities, they work with various partners. To ensure that OCAP principles are met, these partners are required to engage First Nations in each step of the research process. First Nations also retain ownership and control over the products generated through this work. Partners benefit since the knowledge generated is high quality and accurate, given that it is collected and interpreted in cooperation with the people involved.
In short, as a holistic approach to research, OCAP principles place community at their core.
Regional Health Survey
The Regional Health Survey (RHS) is a longitudinal survey under First Nations control. Started in 1997, the national survey is coordinated at the regional level, and involves a partnership between the First Nations Information Governance Centre and Health Canada. It examines issues related to health and wellness, and generates data for communities and researchers.
In the past, large numbers of First Nations people living on-reserve were excluded from major national health surveys, due to the difficulties of accessing remote communities and resistance among some people in participating in government research. The lack of information meant that health authorities did not know such basic information as the number of First Nations people with diabetes. This was a barrier in creating effective programs and policies to improve the health of First Nations people.
The RHS has corrected this information deficiency. Working with regional First Nations organizations and communities, it collects information about the physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, environmental, economic and social factors that determine health. Read about a new initiative from the First Nations Information Governance Centre that is related to this work - the First Nations Regional Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey (FNREEES, or REEES for short).
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