Intellectual property and cultural custodianship
Working draft · Published for review · 14 October 2026
Foundation and scope
These publication policies are grounded in the nêhiyaw customary-law principles of no-harm, consent, sacred responsibility, truthful witness, reciprocity and restoration, and in cîmân’s understanding of the continuing Treaty No. 6 relationship. They govern the publication’s own conduct and the permissions it may grant. They do not purport to enact law for a Nation, determine another person’s title, or reproduce the full terms of Treaty No. 6. Ref Ref
Rights and responsibilities remain with their holders
Authorship, ownership, custodianship and authority to consent are distinct. An individual’s possession of a recording or document does not necessarily establish authority to publish its contents. The publication shall identify and respect the relevant rights holders, families, communities and knowledge custodians before sharing restricted material.
No surrender by publication
Making material available for reading does not, by itself, transfer title, copyright, custodianship, ceremonial authority or permission for further use. cîmân’s publication practice proceeds on the position that inherent rights and Treaty responsibilities are not surrendered through participation in the publication. These statements identify the publication’s commitments; they do not claim that every item is protected by an identical statutory right.
Consent and limits of use
Consent must be informed, specific to the proposed use, and obtained from persons with the authority to give it. Silence is not consent. Permission to record is not necessarily permission to publish, translate, monetize, train an automated system on, or redistribute the recording. Where cîmân controls the required permission, uses beyond the agreed scope require renewed authorization, subject to applicable legal exceptions.
Sacred and restricted knowledge
Sacred particulars, ceremonial knowledge and material restricted by the relevant custodians shall not be made public merely because the publication can obtain a copy. Contributors shall identify restrictions before submission. If publication exceeds consent or creates an unforeseen harm, the matter shall be reviewed with those directly affected and with the appropriate custodians.
Attribution, integrity and archives
Credits shall preserve names, sources, context and restrictions as accurately as possible. Material shall not be falsely attributed, presented as ceremonial authorization where none was given, or altered in a way that misrepresents its source. The publication shall preserve a responsible record of permissions and corrections while restricting access to confidential or sacred information.
Restoration and continuing responsibility
Concerns about misuse shall be considered under the copyright-notice procedure and the publication’s commitments to no-harm and restoration. Consultation is not a claim that cîmân has power to convene a Council-Fire, compel a Nation’s participation or speak for every Treaty No. 6 rights holder.