Indigenous peoples and intellectual property

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The Indigenous Intellectual Property Program Grant application for 2023–24 is now closed.

The intersection of the intellectual property (IP) system and the protection of Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions is receiving increasing attention with Indigenous peoples in Canada, among government policy-makers and in international trade and policy fora. Indigenous peoples have a particular stake in this area as it relates to their broader interests in protecting their knowledge and culture and ensuring its appropriate use.

In spring 2018, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development announced the Intellectual Property Strategy as part of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan. Building on the Government of Canada's commitments to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to recognize Indigenous rights, the Strategy includes initiatives aimed at making Canada's IP system more inclusive and reflective of the needs and interests of Indigenous peoples.

On this page

Educational and awareness resources

Introduction to IP Rights and Protection of Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Expressions in Canada

The relationship between IP and the protection of Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions is complex and challenging. Learn more about their relationship in Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights and the Protection of Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Expressions in Canada. This information is also available in Inuktitut PDF - 329 KBPlains Cree PDF - 370 KBOjibwe PDF- 332 KB, Michif PDF — 196 KB and Mi'kmaq PDF - 323 KB.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office training and awareness raising

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) offers a number of training opportunities and information resources on intellectual property. They also develop customized training materials in partnership with Indigenous organizations, government departments, businesses, academia and regional offices.

Data Collection on Indigenous IP awareness and use

IP protections, services and resources remain widely underutilized by Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs across Canada. In partnership with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business has released the 2021 report Understanding Intellectual Property Awareness & Use by Indigenous Businesses. The report uses data from the 2019 Intellectual Property Survey of Indigenous Businesses to increase the government's understanding of the awareness and use of IP protections, services and resources by Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs.

 

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Experiences with Canada's Intellectual Property System

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Experiences with Canada's Intellectual Property System: Stonecircle Report Executive Summary provides a synthesis of the responses of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) respondents who participated in the qualitative research study regarding their knowledge of and experiences with Canada's IP system.

Funding and capacity building programs

Indigenous Intellectual Property Program

The Indigenous Intellectual Property Program (IIPP) grant supports Indigenous peoples' IP awareness and capacity building as well as participation in the development and implementation of law, policy and programs at both the domestic and international level relating to the relationship between IP and the protection of Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions. The program, launched by the Minister on April 26, 2019, has provided support for the WIPO Voluntary Fund and Indigenous organizations in Canada.

To learn more about the IPP grants and application process, visit our Indigenous Intellectual Property Program Grant webpage.

Other governmental programs and initiatives

There are also a number of other Government of Canada programs that support the preservation, protection, and development of Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions.

Domestic and international engagement

Government of Canada & WIPO Workshop in Iqaluit, Nunavut, May 2019

Workshops in Canada

Workshop on Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions, and Intellectual Property
McGill University and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
January 30, 2020 (Montreal, Quebec)

Practical Workshop on Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions for Countries from the Arctic Region
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Government of Canada
May 14-16, 2019 (Iqaluit, Nunavut)

Information sharing workshop on recognizing, promoting and protecting traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions
Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
March 1, 2019 (Toronto, Ontario)

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

ISED & the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy (McGill University) Workshop in Montreal, Quebec, January 2020