LICENSE-IKSL.md

by Guillaume D.Isabelle, 2025a, http://simp.ly/publish/9vWq1Y https://app.simplenote.com/publish/9vWq1Y https://app.simplenote.com/p/CdgR71

Indigenous Knowledge Stewardship License (IKSL) v1.0

This repository contains knowledge protected under the Indigenous Knowledge Stewardship License, which recognizes that knowledge belongs to the relationships, land, and communities that created it, not to individuals or corporations.

Active License: IKSL-Bridge v1.0

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

Immediate Terms:

Attribution Required: This work builds upon Indigenous knowledge systems, particularly those of the Lakota and Mani-Utenam peoples, as well as the contributions of Guillaume D-Isabelle and the Spiral Agent Protocol collective.
Dual Framework:
- Code/Technical Implementation: Licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0
- Stories/Frameworks/Methodologies: Protected under IKSL-Ceremonial (see below)
- Documentation/Educational Materials: Licensed under IKSL-Community
Reciprocal Obligation: By using this knowledge, you agree to:
- Contribute improvements back to the originating community
- Respect the ceremonial nature of the teaching methodologies
- Acknowledge that this knowledge is held in trust, not owned
Commercial Restrictions:
- Technical code may be used commercially under CC BY-SA terms
- Stories, analogies, and Indigenous methodologies may NOT be commercialized
- Educational use is encouraged with proper attribution

Sacred Elements (IKSL-Ceremonial):

The following elements require special ceremonial protocols and may not be used without explicit permission from knowledge keepers:

Ceremony research methodologies
Sacred narrative frameworks
Indigenous teaching stories and analogies
Spiral methodology implementations
Firekeeper protocols

Legal Bridge:

This license operates simultaneously within Western legal frameworks (through Creative Commons) and Indigenous sovereignty principles. In cases of conflict, Indigenous protocols take precedence for protected elements.

How to Apply This License:

Include this LICENSE-IKSL.md in your repository
Add the following header to protected files:

/**
 * Protected under Indigenous Knowledge Stewardship License v1.0
 * This knowledge belongs to the relationships and land that created it.
 * See LICENSE-IKSL.md for full terms.
 * 
 * Attribution: [Your addition] builds upon [Previous contributors]
 * Origin Community: [Name]
 * Transmission Path: [Origin] → [Previous] → [You]
 */

Metadata Structure:

Create an iksl-metadata.json file:

{
  "license_version": "IKSL-Bridge-v1.0",
  "origin_community": "Lakota and Mani-Utenam peoples",
  "primary_steward": "Guillaume D-Isabelle",
  "knowledge_keepers": [
    "To be designated by community"
  ],
  "transmission_path": [
    {
      "from": "Indigenous Knowledge Systems",
      "to": "Guillaume D-Isabelle", 
      "date": "2024-2025",
      "context": "Ceremony research and Two-Eyed Seeing methodology"
    }
  ],
  "reciprocal_contributions": [
    "Document your contributions here"
  ],
  "sacred_elements": [
    "ceremony_research_methodology",
    "spiral_framework",
    "firekeeper_protocols"
  ],
  "technical_elements_cc_licensed": [
    "List technical implementations under CC BY-SA"
  ]
}

Enforcement and Accountability:

Violations of ceremonial protocols result in:
- Immediate revocation of license
- Requirement for restorative process
- Community-determined consequences
Restorative Process:
- Acknowledgment of harm
- Dialogue with knowledge keepers
- Contribution to community healing
- Demonstration of renewed understanding
Questions and Permissions:
- Contact: [Community contact to be established]
- For ceremonial elements: Requires knowledge keeper approval
- For technical elements: Standard CC BY-SA applies

Statement of Understanding:

By using this repository, you acknowledge:

“I understand that this knowledge emerges from and returns to the relationships that created it. I commit to honoring the ceremonial nature of these teachings, contributing reciprocally to the community, and respecting that ultimate authority over this knowledge rests with Indigenous sovereignty, not Western legal systems.”

Living Document:

This license is itself a living document, meant to evolve through community consensus and relationship. Updates will be made through proper ceremonial protocols and community agreement.

Quick Reference Card

Can I use this for…

Use Case	Technical Code	Stories/Methods	Documentation
Personal Learning	✅ Yes	✅ With respect	✅ Yes
Teaching/Education	✅ Yes	✅ With attribution	✅ Yes
Open Source Project	✅ CC BY-SA	❌ Permission needed	✅ With attribution
Commercial Product	✅ CC BY-SA	❌ No	⚠️ Case by case
AI Training	⚠️ With reciprocity	❌ No	⚠️ With agreement

Attribution Template:

This work incorporates Indigenous Knowledge Stewardship practices
originated by the Lakota and Mani-Utenam peoples,
stewarded by Guillaume D-Isabelle,
and transmitted through the Spiral Agent Protocol.

[Your specific use/modification]

In the spirit of reciprocity, [describe your contribution back].

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How is this different from Creative Commons? A: Creative Commons assumes individual ownership that can be given away. IKSL recognizes knowledge as belonging to relationships and land, with communities as stewards rather than owners.

Q: Can I fork this repository? A: Technical elements can be forked under CC BY-SA. Sacred elements require permission and proper protocols.

Q: How do I contribute back? A: Document your contributions in the metadata, share improvements with the community, and consider how your work serves the seven generations to come.

Q: What if I violate the license accidentally? A: Reach out immediately. This license emphasizes restoration over punishment. Honest mistakes can become learning opportunities.

Version 1.0 - October 2025 A Living Document in Service of Knowledge Sovereignty

https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/7d283f81-b49c-4181-8839-8b4f5a20c900