For decades, discussions around the “digital divide” focused on access — who has reliable internet, who doesn’t. But for many tribal nations, the issue goes deeper: it’s not just access, it’s control. Recognizing this, tribal leaders and policy experts helped launch the Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty (CTDS), a first‑of-its-kind center dedicated to enabling tribal governance over digital infrastructure and data.
Based at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at American Indian Policy Institute (ASU) in partnership with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), CTDS provides research, policy guidance, capacity building, and a clearinghouse of tools for tribes nationwide to craft their own digital‑sovereignty plans.
What Digital Sovereignty Means for Tribal Nations
Digital sovereignty, as defined by CTDS, encompasses:
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Tribal governance over network infrastructure (broadband, internet service providers, communications)
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Control and stewardship of tribal data (collection, storage, sharing, privacy)
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Self-determined digital policy frameworks that reflect Indigenous values and community needs
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Using digital infrastructure to support education, healthcare, public safety, economic development, and community services under tribal control
As CTDS Executive Director Traci L. Morris explained, sovereignty extends beyond land - it includes the digital realm. Tribes are asserting they have the right to define how data about their communities is collected, used, and protected.
Momentum and Action: From Concept to Capacity
In 2025, the national conference Wiring the Rez, held in Chandler, Arizona, dedicated a full day to Tribal digital sovereignty, marking a turning point in how tech and data are discussed in Indian Country. 227 participants from 44 tribal nations took part, signaling broad interest and commitment.
CTDS doesn’t just theorize sovereignty - it provides practical tools: a “Tribal Digital Sovereignty Guidebook,” policy templates, data governance frameworks, and training opportunities for tribal leadership and staff.
For tribes that already manage their own media, healthcare data systems, or educational platforms, these resources can mean the difference between piecemeal tech solutions and fully sovereign digital infrastructures.
Why This Matters Now
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As AI, data mining, and big‑tech expand into every area of life - from health to education to environment - who controls data matters. For tribes, digital sovereignty means protecting collective rights, cultural knowledge, privacy, and long-term community interests.
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Digital infrastructure and access remain uneven across Indian Country. CTDS offers a roadmap for tribes to build and govern their own infrastructure - tailored to their needs, not imposed from outside.
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Empowering tribal control of data and tech supports broader sovereignty: economic development, public safety, community health, education, climate resilience, and cultural preservation.
Tribal digital sovereignty isn’t a buzzword — it’s a shift toward self-determination for the 21st century.
