Learning Together Discussion Group: The Fundamentals of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) – Spring 2025
Session Description
April 2 2025 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
The Fundamentals of OCAP® is an online learning opportunity developed by the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) in collaboration with First Nations thought leaders, subject matter experts, and online education professionals.
The Centre for Research & Innovation Support (CRIS) is pleased to host a virtual 6-week complementary “Learning Together” opportunity for researchers at the University of Toronto, and their team members, who are committed to reconciliation and learning how they can respect the principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®) in their research.
This 6-week program includes both asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities. Participants who are accepted into the “Learning Together” group will be provided individual access to The Fundamentals of OCAP® online course developed by the First Nations Information Governance Centre for personal use. This course, offered asynchronously, is divided into 6 modules and introduces participants to the importance of First Nations ownership, control, access, and possession of First Nations data to support First Nations data sovereignty and information governance.
In addition to participating in the asynchronous course, participants will meet synchronously over 6-weeks in a ‘book club’ style format. Each week, participants will commit to completing one module from The Fundamentals of OCAP® course prior to the weekly discussion. The weekly participant-driven discussions are an opportunity to deepen learning together with peers by reflecting on key learnings from each module, sharing experiences and making connections to your own research practice, and raising questions for group discussion.
Expression of Interest Deadline: Friday February 28th, 2025, 5:00pm EST. Participants will be notified of their participation status by early March.
Learning outcomes and key benefits:
By participating in this 6-week learning together cohort participants will:
- gain a deeper understanding of the OCAP® framework,
- better understand how the OCAP® framework supports data sovereignty and information governance,
- have the opportunity to build connections with peers across U of T and learn from other’s experiences, and
- gain supportive group accountability to complete the online program in 6-weeks.
Additional information on the learning objectives specific to The Fundamentals of OCAP® can be found on the course information page under “What will you learn”.
Who should attend?
This discussion group is open to the University of Toronto, including campus-based and TAHSN-based researchers. Researchers and their team members who are committed to reconciliation and learning how they can respect the principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®) in their research; whether it is data from First Nations, data about first Nations, and/or data on lands and resources are invited to apply.
If you have multiple team members that wish to participate, please have each individual complete an expression of interest.
Session Format and Dates and Times:
The discussion groups will occur virtually on Zoom.
Dates:
- Wednesday April 2nd, 2025 | 10:00am-11:00am
- Wednesday April 9th, 2025 | 10:00am-11:00am
- Wednesday April 16th, 2025 | 10:00am-11:00am
- Wednesday April 23rd, 2025 | 10:00am-11:00am
- Wednesday April 30th, 2025 | 10:00am-11:00am
- Wednesday May 7th, 2025 | 10:00am-11:00am
Facilitators: Centre for Research and Innovation Support
Acknowledgement of Participation: Participants who successfully complete The Fundamentals of OCAP® course by First Nations Information Governance Centre will receive a Statement of Achievement (FNIGC Webpage).
Additional Resources:
The Fundamentals of OCAP, specific to First Nations data and information, is an important part of a larger story of Indigenous data sovereignty, “an important teaching and an expression of a commitment to Reconciliation” (FNIGC Webpage). We have linked below a small sample of the many resources available to support researchers in deepening their learning on Reconciliation and Indigenous research:
