Indigenous — All Publications

Language as Knowledge: Preserving Indigenous Languages as Carriers of Ecological Wisdom

Indigenous languages are a vehicle for communicating Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Indigenous worldviews and wisdom. The diversity of Indigenous languages reflects ecological and epistemic diversity with philosophical sophistication.

IGC 52 Elects an Indigenous (Mãori) Chair, Rebuilds Confidence Amidst Modest Progress

The 52nd IGC sessions elected an Indigenous IGC Chair for the first time. He is New Zealand’s Laine Fisher, a Mãori, who served as a national delegate from the Ministry for Mãori Development (Te Puni Kõkiri).

Blog PostChidi OguamanamMay 18, 2026WIPO IGC, IGC 52, Indigenous, New Zealand, Traditional Knowledge

WIPO Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge Treaty: Unravelling the United States’ Isolationist Intellectual Property Diplomacy

Intellectual Property Forum
Issue 143 (March 2026)

The WIPO Treaty On Genetic Resources And Associated Traditional Knowledge: A Negotiating, Contextual And Conceptual Appraisal

Boston University International Law Journal
(Summer 2025)

Journal ArticleChidi OguamanamNovember 12, 2025IP and Knowledge Governance, Indigenous, Indigenous Knowledge, CBD, WIPO, IPLC

Digital Agriculture Will Perpetuate Injustice Unless Led From the Grassroots

Nature Food
(March 2025)

Information Systems and Digitization of Traditional Knowledge: Trends in Cultural Heritage and Memory Institutions and the Wipo Genetic Resources Treaty

The Journal of World Intellectual Property
(August 2025)

Journal ArticleChidi OguamanamSeptember 9, 2025IP and Knowledge Governance, Indigenous, Indigenous Knowledge, CBD, WIPO, IPLC

Regime Complex in Life Sciences Innovation: Disclosure of Source, Traditional Knowledge and Shifts in Intellectual Property and Knowledge Governance

International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law
(June 2025)

Kente Weaving Among Akan and Ewe Peoples of Ghana

International Journal of Cultural Property
(December 2024)

Power Contestations in the Use of Agri-food Data: Towards a Sustainability Governance Approach

Law, Technology and Humans
(October 2024)

WIPO-IGC 47: Resetting IGC After 2024 Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources

Professor Chidi Oguamanam’s reflections in advance of WIPO’s IGC 47.

A Critical Examination of the African Legal Framework for Indigenous Knowledge

Journal of African Law
Vol. 67, Issue 1 (February 2023)

Transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Africa’s Science, Technology and Innovation Framework and Indigenous Knowledge Systems

African Journal of Legal Studies
Vol. 15, Issue 1 (January 2023)

Reconciliation: Legal Education and the Legal Profession – University of Ottawa’s Emerging Response to Call to Action #28

Prior to European contact, Indigenous Peoples lived with a diversity of political systems, legal traditions, and laws. These Indigenous legal orders guided how First Nations conducted commerce, maintained peace, and negotiated treaties.

Event Announcement: The Rise of the Bioeconomy and the Urgency for Strategic Repositioning and Solidarity of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

Professor Chidi Oguamanam will be delivering a guest lecture on the bioeconomy and opportunities for Indigenous and local peoples on November 9th.

OtherGuest UserNovember 4, 2022Biotechnology, Indigenous, India, Bioeconomy

Reflections In Truth and In Reconciliation

Professor Chidi Oguamanam has authored a poem in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Guest UserSeptember 30, 2022Indigenous, Orange Shirt Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Reconciliation

ABS Canada's Professor Chidi Oguamanam awarded University Research Chair in Sustainable Bio-Innovation, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Global Knowledge Governance

Professor Chidi Oguamanam has been named to the University of Ottawa's University Research Chair in Sustainable Bio-Innovation, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Global Knowledge Governance. Research Chairs represent the University's top researchers and recognize their outstanding and important accomplishments.

The Muskrat Falls Fiasco: Indigenous Exclusion in Natural Resource Projects and the ABS Imperative

On February 14th 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey announced the signing of term sheets for a $1-billion federal investment and a $1-billion federal loan guarantee for the Muskrat Falls Project.

At Resumed ‘Post-Pandemic’ IGC Negotiations, Change in Committee Leadership Leaves Delegates Between Two Genetic Resources Texts

Delegates met at the World Intellectual Property Organization to resume the first round of negotiations for the 2022-23 biennium of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC).

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