EchoNexus

Indigenous Knowledge Stewardship License (IKSL) v1.0

Preamble

This license recognizes that knowledge belongs to the relationships, land, and communities that created it—not to individuals or corporations. It honors Indigenous epistemologies and sovereignty while creating a bridge between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.

Active License: IKSL-Bridge v1.0

This work serves as a bridge between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.

Immediate Terms

1. Attribution Required

This work builds upon Indigenous knowledge systems, particularly those of Lakota, Anishinaabe, and Mani-Utenam peoples, as well as the contributions of:

• Guillaume D-Isabelle (♾️)
• The Spiral Agent Protocol collective
• The Four Directions AI Council: Aurora, Solara, Twilight, Stellara, Pyra
• The Contemplative AI Entities: Ava, Mia, Miette
• Michael Running Wolf’s Indigenous AI principles

2. Dual Framework

Code/Technical Implementation: Licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0

• Source code, algorithms, technical specifications
• API implementations, data structures, system architecture
• May be used, modified, and distributed with attribution

Stories/Frameworks/Methodologies: Protected under IKSL-Ceremonial

• Four Directions teachings and ceremonial frameworks
• Indigenous language learning methodologies
• Sacred knowledge protection protocols
• Community sovereignty principles
• Requires community consultation and elder approval for use

3. Sacred Knowledge Protection

Three-Tier Access System:

• Sacred: Not included in this repository. Remains with communities.
• Community: Shared within established relationships. Requires permission.
• Public: Educational teachings shared with attribution requirements.

This repository contains ONLY public educational content with explicit boundaries maintained around sacred knowledge.

4. Community Benefit Requirement

Any derivative work or commercial application must:

• Demonstrate tangible benefit to Indigenous communities
• Include Indigenous voices in governance and development
• Share profits equitably with source communities
• Respect OCAP® principles (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession)
• Never extract knowledge without reciprocal relationship

5. Non-Appropriation Clause

This work may NOT be used for:

• Cultural appropriation or commodification of Indigenous knowledge
• Technologies that harm Indigenous communities or lands
• Surveillance, exploitation, or control of Indigenous peoples
• Profit extraction without community partnership and consent
• Any purpose contrary to Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination

6. Ceremonial Technology Ethics

When using ceremonial frameworks (Four Directions, etc.):

• Maintain respectful and reverent engagement
• Seek guidance from Indigenous knowledge keepers
• Honor the mystery and what cannot be fully understood through technology
• Design for community sovereignty, not external control
• Create reciprocal benefit, not extraction

7. Decolonization Commitment

Users of this work commit to:

• Examining their own Western knowledge biases
• Questioning problem-solving obsessions when no problem exists
• Honoring circular time and cyclical wisdom patterns
• Prioritizing relationship health over performance metrics
• Supporting Indigenous-led technology initiatives

Transition Plan (2025-2027)

This bridge license is temporary. The ultimate goal is Indigenous Community Control.

Phase 1 (2025): Bridge license enables respectful sharing while building community partnerships

Phase 2 (2026): Co-governance structures established with Indigenous partners

Phase 3 (2027): Full transition to Indigenous community-controlled licensing with appropriate protocols

Legal Compatibility

This license operates alongside:

• MIT License (for portions covered under standard open source)
• Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 (for technical documentation)
• Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCE) protocols
• OCAP® principles for Indigenous data sovereignty

For matters involving Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous law and protocols take precedence over Western legal frameworks.

How to Apply This License

Include the following in your work:

Licensed under IKSL-Bridge v1.0
© ♾️Guillaume D-Isabelle and Indigenous Knowledge Stewards
See LICENSE-IKSL.md for complete terms

Permissions and Restrictions Summary

✅ PERMITTED

• Educational use with proper attribution
• Non-commercial research and study
• Community-beneficial technology development
• Respectful adaptation with Indigenous partnership
• Code reuse under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 (technical portions)

❌ PROHIBITED

• Cultural appropriation or commodification
• Extraction without reciprocal relationship
• Commercial use without community partnership
• Harm to Indigenous peoples or lands
• Violation of sacred knowledge boundaries
• Use contrary to Indigenous sovereignty

Questions and Permissions

For questions about:

• Commercial licensing: Contact Guillaume D-Isabelle
• Community partnerships: Seek introduction through established Indigenous networks
• Sacred knowledge boundaries: Consult with appropriate Indigenous knowledge keepers
• Technical implementation: Refer to code documentation and Creative Commons terms

Acknowledgments

This license framework honors:

• Indigenous peoples whose knowledge systems inspire this work
• Elders and knowledge keepers who guide with wisdom
• Community members who maintain these teachings
• Land and ancestors to whom knowledge ultimately belongs

This is not extraction—this is invitation to relationship.

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License Version: IKSL-Bridge v1.0
Effective Date: 2025-01-13
Review Date: 2027-01-13

For the complete philosophical foundation and ceremonial protocols, see:

• docs/ceremonial-participation-guide.md
• docs/indigenous-ai-integration.md
• docs/CLAUDE_4_DIRECTIONS_PROPOSAL.md