About the BC Regional Information Governance Centre (RIGC)
The BC First Nations Regional Information Governance Centre (BC RIGC) supports BC First Nations governments and organizations in owning, protecting, and using their data as a foundation for self-determination and good governance – in brief, we support “data for governance”.
The BC RIGC supports data for governance through enabling access by First Nations and their representative organizations to:
First Nations data, by identifying and clearing the path for Nations to utilize their data currently held by various institutions, and the tools to collect the data that they care about
Digital infrastructure, including custom software solutions to meet the specific needs of First Nations governance
Training and education that enables local capacity for data stewardship and a range of data functions
Tools, templates, and tested approaches to carry out core functions of data governance and management
Expert consultation advice for data-related priorities and projects of First Nations governments
In brief, the BC RIGC equitably supports First Nations governments to benefit from data and data infrastructure – individually and collectively.
To learn more about the BC RIGC's background and purpose, please see our Fact Sheet.
Please review our Service Profile for details on the specific supports and services currently available to BC First Nations governments.
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:
BC RIGC Project Progress Reports
For further information about the work of the BC RIGC, please review our progress reports: