Does FNEF own community language data?

Short Answer #

No. FNEF provides technology, support, training, and infrastructure but does not claim ownership of community language resources.

Expanded Answer #

There is often confusion in the technology sector regarding ownership. Many software platforms collect large amounts of information and then retain extensive rights over that data. Language Cloud was intentionally designed differently. FNEF’s role is to provide:

• Infrastructure
• Support
• Training
• Strategic guidance
• Technology development

Community knowledge remains community knowledge. This principle applies regardless of whether the content includes:

• Audio recordings
• Video recordings
• Stories
• Dictionaries
• Educational resources
• Cultural materials

Communities determine how their resources are managed and used. This approach aligns with broader principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and community-led revitalization.