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localcontexts.bsky.social
Local Contexts
@localcontexts.bsky.social
140 followers 120 following 700 posts
Grounding Indigenous rights - Supporting Indigenous knowledge & data sovereignty - Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Labels & Notices
https://linktr.ee/localcontexts
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localcontexts.bsky.social
Dr. Lydia Jennings @1nativesoilnerd.bsky.social (Pascua Yaqui Tribe (Yoeme) and Huichol (Wixáritari)) is an environmental soil scientist with a vast number of research projects.
Giving Tuesday graphic. Text: “Local Contexts’ Biocultural and Traditional Knowledge Labels and Notices within datasets ... is the first time some of these communities are getting to see their data relationships and their knowledge genealogy in biodiversity work at large. This is exciting. This is game-changing. Dr. Lydia Jennings (Pascua Yaqui Tribe (Yoeme) and Huichol (Wixáritari)). Environmental Soil Scientist.” Headshot of Lydia Jennings.
December 4, 2025 at 6:50 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
On this #GivingTuesday, we are excited to begin accepting donations to sustain our work & directly support Indigenous communities to uphold their sovereignty. Through your donations, the Local Contexts Label Development Fund provides capacity support for Indigenous communities.
Local Contexts Giving Tuesday graphic. Text reads: “Join the global movement to recognize Indigenous Data Sovereignty. This Giving Tuesday, your donation helps to strengthen the relationships and tools that uphold Indigenous rights.”
December 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Among her many roles, Dr. Katharina Ruckstuhl (Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne ki Wairau) serves on Rūnaka Executive Committee of Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki, as Associate Professor & Dean at the University of Otago, & Local Contexts Councilor Community Member.
💬: Local Contexts Summit Aotearoa (November 2023)
Giving Tuesday poster. Text: “In their words. Giving Tuesday. ‘Grounding Indigenous rights in the ‘local context’ is… about creating an infrastructure, and the Traditional Knowledge Labels and Biocultural Labels establish Indigenous cultural authority and governance over data and collections by adding provenance.’ Dr. Katharina Ruckstuhl (Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne ki Wairau). Local Contexts Councilor Community Member.” Headshot of Katharina on decorative background.
December 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
We have heard again & again that the greatest barrier to communities’ use of Local Contexts is capacity. On #GivingTuesday (December 2), join the global movement to recognize #IDSov & contribute to our capacity fund for Indigenous communities to uphold their sovereignty.
“Rights recognition. Giving Tuesday. Join the global movement to recognize Indigenous Data Sovereignty. This Giving Tuesday, your donation helps to strengthen the relationships and tools that uphold Indigenous rights."
November 28, 2025 at 7:32 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Communities are using the Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Labels on cultural belongings, waiata (songs), oral history recordings, exhibitions, Medicine gardens, films, apps, biodiversity specimens, genome data, journal articles, theses, websites, datasets and more.
Maui Hudson and Aaron Wilton look in a collections storage cabinet. “Rights recognition. Giving Tuesday. Labels have been used on historic biodiversity specimens and contemporary research.” Jenn Nepture sitting at a table, creating a small basket. “Rights recognition. Giving Tuesday. Labels have been used on cultural belongings held in institutions and on Tribes’ oral history recordings.” James Eric Francis Sr. looking at a museum case. “Rights recognition. Giving Tuesday. Labels have been used in museum databases and in Medicine gardens.”
November 28, 2025 at 7:32 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
41 Indigenous communities around the world are using the Local Contexts Labels to safeguard their culture, data, and rights. Communities’ use of Labels clearly defines the provenance, protocols, and permissions around their materials and knowledge, making their authority and rights clear.
“Rights recognition. Giving Tuesday. Tools for marking Indigenous provenance, protocols, and permissions. Indigenous communities use the Local Contexts Labels to safeguard their culture, data, and rights.”
November 28, 2025 at 7:32 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
On #GivingTuesday (December 2), we are excited to begin accepting donations to sustain this work and directly support Indigenous communities to uphold their sovereignty.

Stay tuned for more information ahead of the launch next week!

#IndigenousRights #IDSov
"By the numbers. Giving Tuesday. Join the global movement to recognize Indigenous Data Sovereignty. This Giving Tuesday, your donation helps to strengthen the relationships and tools that uphold Indigenous rights."
November 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Local Contexts is connected with Indigenous communities, institutions, researchers, and integration partners around the world.

For the past 15 years, our relationships have helped us to build out the Local Contexts Labels and Notices as practical tools for supporting Indigenous rights.
"By the numbers. Giving Tuesday. A growing global movement to support Indigenous rights. Local Contexts has been used by Indigenous communities, institutions, researchers, and integration partners around the world." "By the numbers. Giving Tuesday. Local Contexts Hub. 949 Local Contexts Hub users. 34 countries with active users. 327 Projects published on the Hub. 387 Notices added to materials." "By the numbers. Giving Tuesday. Labels in use. 196 Traditional Knowledge Labels customized. 42 Biocultural Labels customized. 53 Projects with Labels applied. Through the customization and use of Labels, Indigenous communities make clear the provenance, protocols, and permissions for material." "By the numbers. Giving Tuesday. Our connections. 117 communities, 305 institutions, 469 researchers. 31 integration partners."
November 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
We are pleased to share that Hop Hopkins @hop1972.bsky.social (he/him) has joined Local Contexts as our Executive Director. Hop is a social movement strategist and scholar who has been at the forefront of social justice campaigns for over 25 years. Read more: localcontexts.org/press-releas...
Headshot of Hop Hopkins. “Introducing Executive Director Hop Hopkins.”
September 2, 2025 at 8:13 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
📣 The Local Contexts team will be away from our desks August 18-22, 2025, taking a short winter/summer break.

If you have any questions, please contact us through our website, and we will get back to you when we return to our desks on August 25.

#LocalContextsTeam
“Away from our desks, August 18-22.” Text inside of circle on decorative background, a green-tinted forest.
August 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Please meet our new Subscriptions Coordinator L.E. Brown (she/her)! L.E. offers support for Hub subscribers, manages subscription data, and implements strategic frameworks to help grow the Hub’s subscriptions system. localcontexts.org/about/the-lo...
Headshot of L.E. Brown on a decorative blue background. Black text above reads “Meet the Local Contexts Team. L.E. Brown.” Below is the Local Contexts Logo, a ring made of black dots.
July 31, 2025 at 8:43 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
“Local Contexts: Restorying Sovereignty with Plant Relatives” is a new comic that illustrates the collaboration between Shinnecock Nation, Local Contexts, & @nybg.bsky.social (@alexmcalvay.bsky.social) around reconnection & sovereignty with plant relatives. Read ➡️ doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
Comic panel showing four illustrated people looking at a plant specimen. An insert map shows Shinnecock Homelands, Long Island. Two Label icons, TK Attribution and BC Provenance. Panel text: “The collaboration is advancing data sovereignty protocols and applying Local Contexts Labels, which recognise community provenance and create opportunities for connection and inclusion.” Panel from: Jane Anderson, Sunshine Gumbs, Maui Hudson, Alex C McAlvay, Kelsey Leonard, Local Contexts Inc., Shinnecock Nation, New York Botanical Garden, & Petroglyph Comics. (2025). “Local Contexts: Restorying Sovereignty with Plant Relatives.” Zenodo, May 2025. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15499094.
May 30, 2025 at 7:43 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Our Membership, Subscription, and Integration Partner programs were developed to support Local Contexts’ mission, governance, & sustainability.

Learn more: localcontexts.org/hub-agreemen...

Not sure which programs are best for you? Attend next week’s webinar: localcontexts.org/event/hub-pr...
“Local Contexts Hub Agreement Programs. Membership: optional program for community accounts to contribute to the governance of Local Contexts. Subscription: program for institution and researcher accounts to create Projects, apply Notices, and notify community accounts. Integration Partner: certification program for Integration Partner accounts to ensure their platform’s implementation meets expectations.” Text on decorative orange and teal background.
April 24, 2025 at 8:44 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Questions about the Member, Subscriber, and Integration Partner programs?

Check out:
➡️ Updated website pages
➡️ New FAQ
➡️ Hub Programs Q&A webinar

Links to more info in our bio!
“Questions about the Hub agreement programs? Updated website pages. Visit our website to see new and clarified information on the Hub Agreements pages. New frequently asked questions. Based on your inquiries, see 19 new questions added to our FAQ. Hub programs Q&A webinar. Bring your questions to the April 29 UTC webinar, or watch the recording after. Local Contexts.” Text on decorative abstract background.
April 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
On April 29, 22:00 UTC, join our webinar that will highlight recent updates to the Local Contexts Hub, including the launch of the Membership, Subscription, & Integration Partner programs.

See more details & complete free registration: localcontexts.org/event/hub-pr...
Event poster. “Local Contexts Webinar: Hub Programs Q&A. This webinar will focus on recent updates to the Local Contexts Hub, including the launch of the Membership, Subscription, and Integration Partner programs. Date: 29 April 2025, 22:00 UTC. Details & Registration: https://localcontexts.org/event/hub-agreements-webinar/.” Decorative orange background.
March 31, 2025 at 5:42 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
.@WIPO has announced an important new Treaty regarding intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge — the first time WIPO will include provisions in a Treaty specifically for Indigenous communities. https://localcontexts.org/press-releases/
February 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Local Contexts welcomes @NewfieldsToday as its first Founding Supporter! Read more in the blog post & joint press release on our website. https://localcontexts.org/welcoming-founding-supporter-indianapolis-museum-of-art-at-newfields/
February 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Las versiones subtituladas de película de introducción a Local Contexts y ‘Awasəwehlαwə́lətinα wikəwαmok’ ya están disponibles en nuestro YouTube, Vimeo, y sitio web. Los subtítulos se pueden seleccionar en la configuración del reproductor de video.
February 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Questions about Local Contexts or the Hub? Join a group info or Hub demo session with the Local Contexts team! Sign-up for a time in February, March, or April at QR code or on our website. https://localcontexts.org/events/info-and-hub-demo-sessions/
February 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Late in November, we hosted our 2nd Local Contexts Summit, the premiere of E Kore Au E Ngaro | The Connection Remains, a film by @WhakatoheaMTB & Local Contexts, & a 2-day training program in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa (Wellington, New Zealand). #LCSummit
February 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
We are live with the #LCSummit! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC72kptCPm_kLfMSBFpjySNw/featured
February 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Next week, we are hosting a Local Contexts Summit and film premiere! Join us in-person in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Aotearoa New Zealand) or online. Speakers, schedule, and details on our website. https://localcontexts.org/events/lc-summit/
February 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
The premiere of “E Kore Au E Ngaro | The Connection Remains,” a film by @WhakatoheaMTB & Local Contexts, will be held 28 November in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa (Wellington, New Zealand)! Free tickets required - space & refreshments are limited.
https://localcontexts.org/events/lc-summit/
February 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
2 weeks ago, some of the Local Contexts team attended & presented at the 2023 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums #ATALM 2023 @TribalALM! It was great to see and connect with so many people through our workshop, session, film, & more.
February 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
localcontexts.bsky.social
Next week, the Local Contexts team will be attending and presenting at the 2023 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums #ATALM2023 @TribalALM in Oklahoma City.
February 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM