Traditional Knowledge Labels

The Traditional Knowledge (TK) and BioCultural (BC) Labels are an initiative for Indigenous communities and local organizations that allow communities to express local and specific conditions for sharing and engaging in future research and relationships in ways that are consistent with already existing community rules, governance, and protocols for using, sharing, and circulating knowledge and data.

What are TK Labels?

The TK Labels are digital markers that establish proper attribution, access, and use rights for traditional knowledge. The TK Labels are designed to be customized by Indigenous communities to reflect ongoing relationships and authority including proper use, guidelines for action or responsible stewardship, and re-use of traditional knowledge.

The TK and BC labels are an initiative created for Indigenous communities and local organizations. These labels were developed through partnerships and ongoing testing within Indigenous communities across multiple countries.

Source: Divseek International Network Inc., "TK/BC Labels Initiative."

Source: Local Contexts, "TK Labels"

Why are TK Labels used?

TK Labels allow communities to express local and specific conditions for sharing and engaging in future research and relationships. TK labels allow for this sharing in was the are consistent with pre-existing community rules, governance, and protocols for using, sharing, an circulating knowledge and data.

Source: Local Contexts, "TK Labels"

Where should TK Labels be used?

TK Labels are intended to be customized by each community utilizing them. This ultimately gives the labels specificity and context when used for each individual community. While the TK Label icons are not to be altered in any way, the individual titles can be translated into numerous languages and displayed in addition to the default Label title. The TK Label icons are not to be altered to ensure national and international recognition across content and collection management systems, online repositories, websites, and physical exhibits.

Source: Local Contexts, "TK Labels"

Why are TK Labels important?

TK Labels support the inclusion of local protocols for access and use to cultural heritage materials, knowledge, and data that is digitally circulating outside the originating community's contexts. The TK Labels identify and clarify community-specific rules and responsibilities regarding access and future use of traditional knowledge. This traditional knowledge includes sacred and/or ceremonial material, material that has gender restrictions, seasonal conditions of use and/or materials specifically designed for outreach purposes.

Source: Local Contexts, "TK Labels"

What are the TK Labels?

The TK Labels fall under three categories: Provenance Labels, Protocol Labels, and Permission Labels.

Provenance Labels

Provenance Labels identify the group or sub-group which is the primary cultural authority for the material and/or recognizes other interest in the materials.

Provenance Labels include:

TK Attribution (TK A) TK Clan (TK CL)

TK Family (TK F) TK Multiple Communities (TK MC)

TK Community Voice (TK CV) TK Creative (TK CR)

Protocol Labels

Protocol Labels outline traditional protocols associated with access to this material and invite viewers to respect community protocols.

Protocol Labels include:

TK Verified (TK V) TK Non-Verified (TK NV)

TK Seasonal (TK S) TK Women General (TK WG)

TK Men General (TK MG) TK Men Restricted (TK MR)

TK Women Restricted (TK WR) TK Culturally Sensitive (TK CS)

TK Secret/Sacred (TK SS)

Permission Labels

Permission Labels indicate what activities the communitive has approved as generally acceptable. Other users require direct engagement with primary cultural authorities.

Permission Labels include:

TK Open to Commercialization (TK OC) TK Non-Commercial (TK NC)