A model for data mobilization that supports and upholds Sámi data governance

Sápmi refers to the traditional territory of the Indigenous Sámi people, encompassing northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula. Although extensive biodiversity data from this region are available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the Indigenous origins, cultural context, and associated stewardship responsibilities remain almost entirely unacknowledged in the infrastructure. This lack of contextualization limits the interpretability of species records and obscures how observations relate to long-standing practices of land use, ecological relationships, and traditional knowledge systems have shaped human–environment interactions in Sápmi over generations.This study explores how Sámi interests, priorities, and governance can be integrated more effectively into GBIF’s data ecosystem in ways consistent with both FAIR and CARE principles. By examining biodiversity items that hold cultural significance for Sámi communities, we assess the current visibility of Sámi names, taxonomies, and knowledge within GBIF-mediated data and identify where these dimensions are absent or poorly represented. We also analyze metadata needs related to cultural context, including traditional nomenclature, provenance, relationships to seasonal cycles, ecological interactions, and the role of knowledge holders in shaping species understanding.A key focus is evaluating mechanisms that could enable Sámi authority, responsibility, and control over data linked to their territories. We investigate the potential application of Local Contexts notices and labels within GBIF, assessing how such tools might help communicate community expectations, governance protocols, and restrictions on sensitive knowledge. In addition, we explore technical approaches for associating cultural metadata with existing and future GBIF datasets while preserving community consent, protecting Indigenous rights, and maintaining data integrity.The study also examines the feasibility of mobilizing new Sámi datasets, including those containing elements of traditional knowledge, and identifies the governance conditions necessary for their ethical inclusion within GBIF-supported infrastructures. Through this work, we aim to articulate a model for respectful, reciprocal, and community-informed data mobilization in Sápmi. The resulting framework seeks to support Sámi data sovereignty, improve the cultural fidelity of biodiversity data, and offer an adaptable pathway for other Indigenous communities engaging with global biodiversity data infrastructures.