|
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Health Services adopted what is believed to be the first of its kind Indigenous Data Sovereignty Policy, effective April 1, 2026, formalizing the sovereign-to-sovereign relationship between ADHS and Tribal Nations relating to the governance of Tribal health data.
“The policy honors Tribal sovereignty, establishes safeguards for data held by ADHS, and supports greater access to information that can improve health outcomes for Tribal communities,” said ADHS Director Debbie Johnston.
The policy strengthens long-term collaboration and helps ensure that information entrusted to ADHS is managed responsibly and used to advance the health priorities identified by each Nation. It applies to ADHS workforce members and contractors who handle data or data repositories while performing work for or on behalf of the agency.
The policy reaffirms the rights of Tribal Nations that share geography with Arizona. Each Tribal Nation maintains public health authority within its lands and among its citizens.
It is designed to strengthen State-Tribal relationships, support meaningful partnership and culturally informed public health practices, expand Tribal participation in decision-making, and help address health disparities affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
ADHS is implementing the policy in phases throughout 2026. The first phase focused on policy approval and communication. The second phase will develop training modules for relevant teams, followed by integration into project approval workflows to help ensure Tribal data considerations are built into ADHS processes.
This policy builds on years of work by ADHS, Tribal Nations, and Indigenous Data Sovereignty partners to strengthen how public health data is governed, shared, and returned to Tribes. In 2024, ASTHO (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials) highlighted Arizona’s work to advance data sharing with Tribal Nations, including ADHS’ investment in Tribal engagement, workforce education, data assessment, and the development of a Tribal data sovereignty policy.
The adoption of this policy marks the next major step in that effort, moving from planning and partnership-building into implementation across ADHS programs, contractors, and data systems.
This policy was created in partnership between ADHS and Tribes in the State of Arizona with guided engagement from the University of Arizona’s Native Nations Institute and the Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance.
Partner Reflections:
“The Nation appreciates the Arizona Department of Health Services’ partnership and commitment to developing the Indigenous Data Sovereignty Policy. This policy underscores the importance of recognizing Tribal Nations’ inherent sovereignty and authority over Tribal data, and of ensuring that such data is collected, used, and shared with transparency, respect, and accountability. Strengthening Tribal access to and governance of data will support evidence-based decision-making, advance community health priorities, and promote outcomes that benefit Tribal citizens. The Nation values the collaborative sovereign-to-sovereign approach and looks forward to maintaining a partnership to advance Indigenous Data Sovereignty and protect Tribal interests for future generations.”
Sandra Pattea
President, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
“The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Public Health Authority appreciates the joint Tribal-state work that shaped the Indigenous Data Sovereignty Policy. This collaboration affirms the vital principle that Tribes maintain ownership and governance of their data, strengthening self-determination and protecting the well-being of our communities.”
Nancy Mangieri
Chief of Public Health Services, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
“Arizona’s milestone in Indigenous data sovereignty honors the inherent authority of Tribes to govern their knowledge systems and shape decisions rooted in cultural values and community priorities. By affirming Indigenous governance over data, this policy strengthens self-determination, advances epistemic justice, and supports more resilient health futures, where programs, resources, narratives, and outcomes reflect the lived realities and wisdom of Tribes.”
Anthony J. Santiago, DrPH
Chief Executive Officer, Gila River Health Care
“What a privilege to be involved in such an important partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services and experts on Indigenous Data Sovereignty in the creation of ADHS’ Indigenous Data Sovereignty Policy, which protects the health data of 22 federally recognized Tribes in Arizona. The work experience opened many doors and opportunities to work with Indigenous data leaders around the world, supporting one another as we collaborate, communicate, and develop data protection plans and protocols. Thank you, ADHS, for this journey as we work together to protect Tribal data.”
Violet Leslie
Grant Writer and Institutional Review Board Coordinator, San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation
“This policy represents a historic commitment to honoring Tribal sovereignty. It has been a pleasure to work with ADHS, Tribal leaders, and Tribal representatives to bring this policy to life in ways that strengthen Tribal authority over health data and reinforce the sovereign-to-sovereign relationship between the State of Arizona and Tribal Nations. This policy reflects the power of collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to protecting Tribal data while improving health outcomes for Indigenous peoples across Arizona.”
Caleigh Curley, MPH, DrPH(c)
University of Arizona
“The Arizona Department of Health Services’ partnership with the 22 federally recognized Tribes in Arizona to create the first state-level Indigenous Data Sovereignty Policy represents an intentional redesign of Tribal-State relations to uphold Tribal sovereignty in relation to Indigenous data within ADHS. As an Indigenous scholar-advocate, our team’s facilitation of the process and collaborative drafting of the policy based on Tribal leadership and design exemplifies our commitment to ‘coming home.’ In this partnership, Indigenous scholars served Indigenous communities at home in Arizona. It was a pleasure and a privilege to engage with the individuals representing the Tribes and the State.”
Stephanie Russo Carroll, DrPH
University of Arizona and Indigenous Data Alliance
“I am very proud that the collaborative work on Indigenous Data Sovereignty by our public health faculty and staff, especially Dr. Stephanie Russo Carroll and Dr. Ibrahim Garba, alongside many of our alumni who work on health services with Tribal Nations, has led to this new policy adopted by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Congratulations to everyone involved on this important step forward for health equity in Arizona.”
Iman Hakim, MD, PhD, MPH
Dean, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona
ADHS and Tribes in the State of Arizona completed the consultation in accordance with state Tribal Consultation Policy. ADHS extends its gratitude and recognition to the 22 Tribal Nations, University of Arizona’s Native Nations Institute, the Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance, ADHS Tribal Liaison Gerilene Haskon, and ADHS Tribal Health Epidemiologist Darien Fuller.
###
|
