Community Governance
All content involving Indigenous communities undergoes review by Indigenous advisors before publication. This is a requirement, not an option.
Why It Matters
Media has a long history of causing harm to Indigenous communities. Misrepresentation, cultural appropriation, and publication of sensitive information without consent have all caused real harm.
Loochoo Media aims to change this historical pattern by placing Indigenous review at the centre of the editorial process.
Content Subject to Review
Articles about Indigenous cultural practices
Indigenous knowledge systems or traditional knowledge
Reporting on Indigenous lands, rights, or politics
Interviews with Indigenous leaders, elders, or community members
Research involving Indigenous data or statistics
Content about Indigenous history, memory, or trauma
Review Criteria
Cultural Accuracy
Is the content factually and culturally accurate? Does it reflect the lived experience and perspectives of the community it concerns?
Potential Harm
Could the content cause harm to individuals, communities, or cultural practices? Does it risk reinforcing stereotypes or misrepresentations?
Representation & Language
Is the language used respectful and appropriate? Are communities represented as agents, not subjects? Are self-determined names and terms used?
Consent & Sensitivity
Does the content involve sensitive cultural knowledge, ceremonies, or sacred information that requires explicit community consent before publication?
Community Benefit
Does publishing this content serve the interests of the communities it concerns? Is there a clear benefit to Indigenous peoples?
Review Outcomes
Approved
Content is cleared for publication. May include minor editorial notes or suggested improvements.
Revisions Requested
Reviewer identifies specific issues that must be addressed before publication. Content is returned to the editorial team with detailed feedback.
Not Recommended
Reviewer recommends against publication due to cultural sensitivity, potential harm, or lack of community consent. The Publisher makes the final decision.
Final Decision: The final decision to publish always rests with the human Publisher (Editor-in-Chief). The Indigenous reviewer's recommendation is a critical input, but final editorial responsibility lies with human editors.
We welcome members of Indigenous communities, elders, and cultural experts to participate as reviewers. Your knowledge and perspective are essential to ensuring ethical and accurate reporting.
Learn About Collaborating →