BioCultural 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 BC Labels?
The BC Labels are digital markers that focus on accurate provenance, transparency, and integrity in research engagements around Indigenous data. The BC Labels help Indigenous communities define community expectations and consent about appropriate use of collections and data. These labels connect data to people and environments over time.
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Source: Divseek International Network Inc., "TK/BC Labels Initiative."
Why are BC Labels used?
BC Labels allow communities to express local and specific conditions for sharing and engaging in future research and relationships. BC 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.
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Source: Local Contexts, "BC Labels"
Where should BC Labels be used?
BC 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 BC 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 BC 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.
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Source: Local Contexts, "BC Labels"
Why are BC Labels important?
The BC Labels define community expectations and consent about appropriate use of biocultural collections and data. These labels focus on accurate provenance, transparency, and integrity in research engagements with Indigenous communities. BC Labels ensure Indigenous people are represented in the metadata and create opportunities for future researchers to connect and support appropriate benefit sharing.
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Source: Local Contexts, "BC Labels"
What are the BC Labels?
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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:
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BC Provenance (BC P) BC Multiple Communities (BM MC)
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Protocol Labels
Protocol Labels outline traditional protocols associated with access to this material and invite viewers to respect community protocols.
Protocol Labels include:
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BC Consent Verified (BC CV) BC Consent Non-Verified (BC CNV)
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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:
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BC Research Use (BC R) BC Open to Collaboration (BC CB)
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Source: Local Contexts, "BC Labels"
