On August 9, 2025, the world observed the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, a day to celebrate Indigenous cultures, knowledge, and contributions while recognizing the work still needed to uphold their rights. This year, the United Nations held an online event under the theme “Indigenous Peoples and Artificial Intelligence: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures.”
At ISSofBC, we wanted to bring attention to this event because it is a significant opportunity to highlight how the intersection of technology, rights, and Indigenous perspectives shapes not only the future of innovation but also how newcomers and Indigenous peoples build a shared sense of belonging in Canada.
AI as a tool for empowerment
The UN discussion explored how AI can both empower and endanger Indigenous communities. AI can help preserve endangered languages, safeguard oral histories, monitor environmental threats, and improve access to justice.
Indigenous youth are already leading innovative solutions, like Danielle Boyer’s SkoBot, a robot that supports Anishinaabemowin language learning through community-recorded voices.
Risks of AI without Indigenous leadership
At the same time, speakers cautioned that AI could reinforce historical injustices if developed without Indigenous participation.
Risks include biased algorithms, misrepresentation of cultures, and unconsented use of Indigenous knowledge. As the moderator of the event, Elaine Reyes, emphasized, “Innovation must never come at the cost of Indigenous people’s rights.”
The central message of the event was that Indigenous peoples must guide AI development. Principles such as self-determination, cultural preservation, free prior and informed consent (FPIC), data sovereignty, and co-creation are essential. Therefore, meaningful participation, respect for traditional knowledge, and ethical innovation are vital to shaping a future where Indigenous people lead with dignity, learning, and vision. AI should support communities on their terms, including the right to refuse technologies that don’t align with their values.
Global actors, including the UN, governments, and the private sector, have a role in promoting Indigenous rights in the digital world. Closing digital gaps, creating knowledge-sharing networks, strengthening AI awareness, and establishing Indigenous-led ethics boards were among the key recommendations.
ISSofBC’s perspective: centering Indigenous leadership
At ISSofBC, we believe conversations about technology, rights, and innovation must center the leadership of Indigenous peoples.
Too often, Indigenous communities are framed as passive stakeholders in decisions that directly affect their futures. However, as the UN discussion highlighted, Indigenous voices are not just critical; they are indispensable in shaping how emerging technologies, such as AI, are designed, governed, and utilized. This includes upholding data sovereignty, supporting Indigenous-led education, and respecting the right to refuse. Indigenous peoples must be seen as innovators, teachers, and decision-makers whose leadership strengthens us all.
For ISSofBC, this means actively embedding Indigenous perspectives in how we support newcomers, build partnerships, and imagine a future of belonging in Canada.
