Wikimedia Australia ICIP and IDSov
In late 2025 Wikimedia Australia (WMAU) engaged Terri Janke and Company (TJC), a leading Australian Indigenous-owned law firm and consultancy, specialising in Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) to develop the first stage of a First Nations Protocol for WMAU.
This partnership will provide Wikimedia Australia, its members, and partners with a clear framework for responsibly engaging with and supporting First Nations Peoples and communities. The Protocol will ensure that Wikimedia Australia's work respects Indigenous knowledge systems and supports the rights of Indigenous Peoples to be centred in and control the use of their data and cultural heritage.
In early 2026 an Indigenous Expert Working Group was formed, and Terri and her team presented a draft of the ICIP Guide to Australian editors at WikiCon Canberra in April 2026 for discussion and feedback.
On 16 July 2026 two publications were released: the Wikimedia Australia ICIP and IDSov Guide and the accompanying white paper CultureStrong Platforms: Setting the Standard at Wikimedia. Developed through an Indigenous-led process, the publications provide practical guidance for Wikimedia contributors while opening an international conversation about respecting Indigenous knowledge, cultural authority and self-determination within the Wikimedia movement. Community feedback on the white paper's consultation questions is invited via an online survey. Read the Guide and white paper.
In July 2026 this work moves onto the global stage at Wikimania 2026 in Paris, Wikimedia's annual international conference. The publications will be shared with delegates from around the world, and Dr Terri Janke will facilitate the First Nations keynote panel in the Equity stream, leading international discussions on the future of Indigenous knowledge on the Wikimedia platforms.
Stay up to date
- Stay up to date with what WMAU is doing in the space: Wikimedia-au-icip mailing list (you'll need a free postorious account, or contact us to be added to the mailing list).
- Open platforms, open minds, respectful practices: ICIP & IDSov Guide for Wikimedia Australia — Friday 10 April 2026
Dr Terri Janke will present an overview of the ICIP and Indigenous Data Sovereignty project she is leading for Wikimedia Australia, followed by a panel discussion.
Presentations
In November 2025, a short video presentation was produced by Terri Janke and Company outlining the Wikimedia Australia ICIP and IDSov Protocol project. The project will help ensure Wikimedia Australia's work reflects best practice in engaging with Indigenous knowledge, communities and content.
Wikimedia Netherlands also requested a short presentation about the Wikimedia Australia ICIP and IDSov Protocol project as part of their annual WikiConNL 2025. We sent the short video presentation by Terri Janke that was played at the conference, along with WMAU staff attending online to answer questions from participants.
