Blockchain for Indigenous Communities

Introduction

Blockchain technology has the potential to provide Indigenous communities with a greater degree of control and autonomy over their own affairs. By using a decentralized and secure digital ledger, Indigenous communities can create and maintain their own digital records, such as land titles and identities, without relying on external institutions or governments. This can give Indigenous communities more agency and the ability to assert their rights and manage their own resources. Additionally, blockchain technology can provide Indigenous communities with new economic opportunities, such as the ability to create and trade their own digital assets and currencies. This could potentially allow Indigenous communities to diversify their economies and create new sources of wealth and income. Overall, while the potential benefits of blockchain technology for Indigenous communities are significant, it is important for these communities to carefully consider the potential risks and challenges, such as the need for adequate technical expertise and infrastructure, before adopting this technology.

Land Registries

Blockchain technology has the potential to help Native American communities in a number of ways, including by providing a secure and tamper-proof way to store land title information and identities (Daniel and Ifejika Speranza,2020). Because blockchain is a distributed ledger technology, it allows for information to be recorded and stored in a way that is secure, transparent, and resistant to tampering or modification. This could be particularly useful for Native American communities, who may have historically faced challenges with regard to the recognition and protection of their land rights.

In addition to providing a secure way to store land title information, blockchain technology could also help to streamline and automate many of the processes involved in transferring land titles and other forms of property ownership. This could make it easier for Native American communities to buy, sell, and transfer land in a way that is efficient and transparent.

Overall, the use of blockchain technology in Native American communities has the potential to provide greater security, transparency, and efficiency in the management of land titles and identities. This could help to empower these communities and enable them to better protect and defend their rights and interests. The Manifest Destiny mantra of the United States encouraging its citizens to go out and take land from indigenous communities has created a historical standard of disrespect towards indigenous lands. It’s important to recognize things like the Indian Removal act of 1830 (Indian Removal Act, 1830) carried out by President Andrew Jackson less than 200 years ago and the fight is still very much ongoing to this day. One such example of this continued fight is the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe in Massachusetts. Firstly, this tribe that is most notably known for being the community of Natives who welcomed the Pilgrims in their first thanksgiving in 1621, was not recognized officially by the United States government until 2007. In 2015 the United States government declared that 300 acres of land would be given back to the native population present. Just 3 years later this promise was broken on a claim that the tribe had no official title or control over the land that could be backed up by the United States centralized system(Kaur, 2020). While blockchain technology will not be a direct solution to injustices and discriminations against indigenous peoples, it can be a helpful first step to many natives having greater control and security over the assets that they value.

Genomic Data

Blockchain technology can help Native Americans to keep better control over their genomic data in several ways. First, blockchain is a decentralized and secure technology, which makes it well-suited to storing and protecting sensitive data like genomic information. By using blockchain, Native Americans can ensure that their genomic data is only accessed by authorized individuals, and that it is stored in a secure and immutable manner (Mackey, 2022). Blockchains immutable and transparent nature allows for this data to be stored in a decentralized manner supports an infrastructure in which it can only be accessed for the benefit of an indigenous community and not used in a way that could be discriminatory.

Second, blockchain technology can be used to create and manage digital “smart contracts” that automatically enforce rules and regulations around access to genomic data. For example, a smart contract could be used to require that researchers seeking access to Native American genomic data must first obtain approval from a designated Native American community organization or individual. This could help to prevent unauthorized access to genomic data and ensure that research is conducted in an ethical and respectful manner.

Third, blockchain technology can be used to create transparent and verifiable records of genomic data and research. This could help to prevent fraud and ensure that research is conducted in a transparent and accountable manner. For example, blockchain could be used to track and verify the consent of individuals whose genomic data is used in research, and to record the results of that research in a way that is transparent and easily accessible.

Overall, by using blockchain technology, Native Americans can gain greater control over their genomic data, protect their sensitive information, and ensure that research is conducted in a respectful and ethical manner. Engaging with tradition is something that holds significant cultural value for many indigenous peoples around the world. While for many in the modern day, decentralized currency is something new and scary, Many indigenous communities have a historical precedent of using just this that can be traced back hundreds of years.

Wampum as a historical precedent for decentralized currency

Wampum was a traditional form of currency used by Native American tribes in what is now the northeastern United States. It consisted of shells, beads, and other items that were strung together and used as a medium of exchange (Wampum, 2020). Wampum was often considered to have spiritual or cultural significance, and it was often used in ceremonies and other important rituals.

In some ways, wampum can be seen as a historical precedent for decentralized currency, in that it was not issued or controlled by a central authority. Instead, it was created and used by the tribes themselves, according to their own customs and traditions. This decentralized nature of wampum is similar to modern cryptocurrencies, which are not issued by governments or other central authorities, but are instead created and managed by decentralized networks of users.

While having its blatant differences as digital currency versus a physical currency, Wampum serves as a historical example of tribes using a decentralized method of exchange. Operating out of centralized financial institutions, Wampum had a dynamic price range in the same way that cryptocurrencies carry their weight in a perceived value. Wampum being a traditional Native American piece of jewelry of some kind steps into a broader field of Native American Art, a multimillion dollar industry that see’s many of its artists struggle due to the pressure of counterfeiters producing replicas at a cheaper rate.

The Native American Art Trade

One way that Native Americans could use blockchain technology to protect against counterfeiting is by creating unique digital identifiers for their products and artworks, and then storing this information on the blockchain. This would create a tamper-proof and publicly accessible record of the authenticity of these items(Crypto Native Art Collective — Weaving the Web of Indian Country into Web 3.0).

For example, Native American artists and craftspeople could create digital certificates of authenticity for their products, and then store these certificates on the blockchain. These certificates could include information such as the name of the artist, the date and location of creation, and any other relevant details. This information could then be used to verify the authenticity of the product, and to protect against counterfeiting.

Another way that Native Americans could use blockchain technology to protect against counterfeiting is by implementing smart contract systems that automatically enforce the terms of contracts and agreements related to the sale and distribution of their products. For example, a smart contract could be used to automatically release payment to the artist or craftsperson upon the successful delivery of a product to the buyer. This could help to ensure that artists and craftspeople are fairly compensated for their work, and to prevent the sale of counterfeit items.

One possible way that blockchain technology can help native Americans to better capitalize on the provenance of their art is by providing a secure, immutable record of the ownership and history of each piece of art. This can help to establish the authenticity and value of the art, which can in turn increase its marketability and attractiveness to potential buyers. Additionally, the use of blockchain can enable native American artists to track and control the distribution of their work, ensuring that they receive appropriate recognition and compensation for their creations. This can help to support the sustainability of native American art as a cultural and economic resource.

In addition to the benefits discussed above, blockchain technology can also facilitate the tracking and distribution of royalties for native American art. For example, the use of smart contracts can enable artists to automatically receive payments whenever their work is sold or used, ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their creations. This can help to support the economic viability of native American art and ensure that artists are able to continue creating and sharing their work. Additionally, the use of blockchain can provide a transparent and auditable record of all royalty payments, which can help to promote trust and fairness within the native American art community.

Risks and Challenges

Some of the risks and challenges that need to be addressed before adopting blockchain technology in Indigenous communities include:

Technical expertise: Blockchain technology can be complex, and Indigenous communities may not have the necessary technical expertise and infrastructure to implement and maintain it. This could lead to technical errors and vulnerabilities that could compromise the security and integrity of the blockchain.

Legal and regulatory issues: Indigenous communities may face legal and regulatory challenges when it comes to using blockchain technology. For example, there may be concerns about the legal status of digital assets and currencies, or about the ability of Indigenous communities to maintain control over their own digital records. Blockchain is currently in what many would call a pioneer phase of shelling out the technology as it improves with many governments rushing behind to regulate it as a new infrastructure of sorts. (Hijfte, 2021)

Social and cultural issues: Indigenous communities may also face social and cultural challenges when adopting blockchain technology. For example, there may be concerns about the impact of this technology on traditional ways of life, or about the potential for conflict and division within the community.

Security and privacy: Blockchain technology is designed to be secure and transparent, but it is not immune to hacking and other security threats. Indigenous communities need to carefully consider the potential risks to their data and assets, and take appropriate measures to protect them.

Sustainability: Finally, Indigenous communities need to consider the long-term sustainability of blockchain technology. This includes ensuring that the technology is used in a way that is consistent with the community’s values and goals, and that it is not subject to outside influences or control. One such of example of this can be seen with a term that has been coined “crypto colonialism” Where independent parties come into communities in areas with limited financial regulation to be a hotspot for the frontiers of blockchain based systems, and restrict the community itself from having ownership of the blockchain that they are using. This system that has gone under criticism is a blockchain based disaster relief system for Vanuatu (Crypto-Colonialists Use the Most Vulnerable People in the World as Guinea Pigs), an island nation in the Pacific Ocean for its inability to be controlled by those its supposed to be helping. At the push of a button this economy can be turned on and off with the local population not having a say at all. While posing as a great solution for underdeveloped communities to use in the event of a disaster, this technology does little if any to empower the local peoples if this control is still left out of their own hands. As communities are approached with blockchain technology, it’s absolutely pivotal that the solutions looked at are ones that create vitality amongst community members rather than dependency.

Approaching communities with Blockchain

Indigenous communities can better create and maintain their own digital records with blockchain technology by taking the following steps:

Educating community members: Indigenous communities should educate their members about the basics of blockchain technology and its potential uses, including the ability to create and maintain digital records. This can help community members understand the technology and its potential benefits and risks.

Developing a plan: Indigenous communities should develop a clear plan for using blockchain technology to create and maintain their own digital records. This should include defining the types of records that will be created, the individuals or entities responsible for maintaining them, and the procedures for updating and accessing the records.

Choosing the right platform: Indigenous communities should carefully select the blockchain platform that is best suited to their needs and goals. This may involve considering factors such as the platform’s security, scalability, and user-friendliness.

Ensuring security and privacy: Indigenous communities should take appropriate measures to protect the security and privacy of their digital records. This may include implementing security protocols, such as encryption and authentication, to prevent unauthorized access to the records.

Engaging with external partners: Indigenous communities may need to engage with external partners, such as technical experts, lawyers, and other stakeholders, to help them implement and maintain their digital records. It is important for the community to maintain control over the process and ensure that it aligns with their values and goals.

Working with my internship at standardDAO, the central focus of this research was to provide a working explanation for how indigenous communities could utilize blockchain technology for their benefit. As I delved deeper into this issue, one of the major developments that was apparent was the need to approach these solutions cautiously and carefully, while many of these solutions have very promising opportunities for members within indigenous communities. It’s vital that these solutions are putting the success of the community first before any form of third party is prioritized. With this new technology only in its infancy, educating community members about not only the positives but also the negatives is essential to seeing this tech be used in progressive ways. As a Global Studies Major with concentrations into the study of poverty as a whole, blockchain technology has always stood out to me as a technology that can be used to bring agency and financial capability to communities of the world who have faced isolation and hardship in the past in terms of economic agency. An intense love for the outdoors that has been instilled in me since I was a kid has always left a deep respect for indigenous peoples of the world and the more I learned about blockchain, the more indigenous communities stood out to me as a people who could utilize this tech as an avenue for security over land, tradition, and culture.

Resources

“Crypto Native Art Collective — Weaving the Web of Indian Country into Web 3.0.” Cryptonativeart.com, 2021, cryptonativeart.com/.

“Crypto-Colonialists Use the Most Vulnerable People in the World as Guinea Pigs.” Vice.com, 29 June 2021, www.vice.com/en/article/wx5zz9/crypto-colonialists-use-the-most-vulnerable-people-in-the-world-as-guinea-pigs.

Daniel, Desiree, and Chinwe Ifejika Speranza. “The Role of Blockchain in Documenting Land Users’ Rights: The Canonical Case of Farmers in the Vernacular Land Market.” Frontiers in Blockchain, vol. 3, May 2020, https://doi.org/10.3389/fbloc.2020.00019.

Indian Removal Act (ELL) [Electronic Resource]. Great Neck Publishing. EBSCOhost, https://search-ebscohost-com.proxy006.nclive.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat04042a&AN=app.b11672670&site=eds-live&scope=site. Accessed 14 Dec. 2022.

Kaur, Harmeet. “Indigenous People across the US Want Their Land Back — and the Movement Is Gaining Momentum.” CNN, CNN, 25 Nov. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/11/25/us/indigenous-people-reclaiming-their-lands-trnd/index.html.

Mackey TK, Calac AJ, Chenna Keshava BS, Yracheta J, Tsosie KS, Fox K. Establishing a blockchain-enabled Indigenous data sovereignty framework for genomic data. Cell. 2022 Jul 21;185(15):2626–263

Van Hijfte, Stijn. Blockchain and Regulation: Privacy, Laws, Taxation and More. [Electronic Resource]. 1st edition., Apress, 2021. EBSCOhost, https://search-ebscohost-com.proxy006.nclive.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat04042a&AN=app.b11697712&site=eds-live&scope=site.

“Wampum.” Ganondagan.org, 2020, ganondagan.org/Learning/Wampum.