ISAGE | Indigenous Sovereignty, Autonomy, Governance, Ethics

Dr. Robyn Sabourin (née Rowe) is the Owner and Principal Consultant of ISAGE. She is a First Nations researcher, educator, and advisor with advanced training in Indigenous health, Indigenous data governance, and research ethics. Robyn holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Rural and Northern Health and a Master's of Indigenous Relations, and has spent more than a decade working at the intersections of Indigenous sovereignty, research, data, and institutional systems.

Robyn is internationally recognized for her contributions to Indigenous Data Sovereignty. She is a co-author of the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance and has published widely on Indigenous data governance, digital rights, research ethics, and the ethical use of data and emerging technologies. Her work spans peer reviewed scholarship, community based reports, policy development, and global Indigenous research collaborations.

In addition to leading ISAGE, Robyn currently serves as Associate Scientific Director at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health (IIPH). She has held research and leadership roles across universities, national research organizations, health systems, and Indigenous organizations in Canada and internationally. Her experience includes strategic planning, evaluation, governance development, and advising on complex research and data initiatives involving Indigenous communities.

ISAGE operates through a relational, project based model. Rather than maintaining a fixed consulting team, Robyn works with a network of trusted Indigenous and allied collaborators, engaging people on a per project basis based on relationships, expertise, and the specific needs of each project and community. This approach reflects her commitment to community driven and Indigenous led research, relational accountability, and ensuring that the right knowledge and lived experience are brought to each piece of work.