Preserving Indigenous voices: Web archiving in Aotearoa/New Zealand

Abstract

Digital technology is an important modern tool for Indigenous languages, cultures, and voices. The web has been embraced by many Indigenous communities as it provides an effective way to disseminate information and connect community members. This is especially relevant as the displacement and migration of Indigenous Peoples has meant that language and cultural communities are becoming less localised and more dispersed. It is faster, easier, and more cost effective to share knowledge digitally. That is also what makes digital content vulnerable to being changed, deleted, or 'lost' - one of the strongest arguments for web archiving. We must ensure that the knowledge and information that is shared digitally by Indigenous communities is collected, preserved, and made accessible to future generations. However, the collection and storage of Indigenous knowledge and data raises questions regarding control, self-determination, and the right to free, prior and informed consent.