An i3u8 file extension can be reimagined specifically as an immersive media format tailored for delivering authentic Indigenous content. Here’s how it could work…

Immersive Indigenous Media Format (.i3u8)

Definition:

The .i3u8 file extension represents an advanced immersive media container specifically designed to deliver culturally authentic, immersive content experiences for Indigenous storytelling, educational resources, ceremonial events, and community archives.

Immersive Capabilities:

• Supports 360-degree video, 3D spatial audio, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences.

• Includes metadata layers rich with Indigenous cultural contexts such as geographic information, language translations, traditional ecological knowledge, and ancestral data.

Authentication Layer:

• Integrated cryptographic signature layer ensuring content authenticity and traceability.

• Employs blockchain-based verification to validate content origins and permissions granted by Indigenous custodians or knowledge holders.

• Includes digital certificates issued by recognised Indigenous authorities or communities to ensure respectful and legitimate usage.

Content Protection & Cultural Integrity:

• Implements dynamic rights management specific to Indigenous intellectual property, adhering strictly to community-driven governance and protocols.

• Facilitates permissions at multiple levels, allowing communities to define culturally sensitive content access clearly and effectively.

Use-Cases:

• Digital repatriation of Indigenous heritage, languages, and knowledge.

• Immersive educational resources, storytelling experiences, and interactive cultural archives.

• Secure distribution of content across platforms while preserving cultural sovereignty and integrity.

This specialised .i3u8 format thus becomes not just a technological file extension but an embodiment of Indigenous digital sovereignty, cultural authenticity, and immersive storytelling innovation.

Project Plan: Development of i3u8
(Indigenous Layer 3) for Authentication of Digitised Taonga and Artefacts

1. Introduction

The i3u8 (Indigenous Layer 3) file extension will be developed as a secure and verifiable format for authenticating digitised taonga (treasures) and artefacts. The goal is to integrate cultural data sovereignty, blockchain security, and AR-enhanced metadata to protect, verify, and preserve indigenous digital assets.

2. Background & Justification

With the rise of digital preservation efforts, particularly for indigenous communities, there is an increasing need to protect authenticity, ownership, and contextual integrity of digitised artefacts. Inspired by M3U (Multimedia Playlist) structures, i3u8 will incorporate metadata layers that include provenance records, cultural permissions, and encrypted access rights.

3. Objectives

• Develop a metadata-rich file format for indigenous digital assets.

• Ensure authenticity and security through blockchain verification.

• Integrate kaupapa Māori (Māori principles) in digital frameworks.

• Facilitate AR-enhanced interactive experiences for taonga.

• Provide cultural governance tools for indigenous custodians.

4. Technical Specifications

• Base Format: JSON/XML-based structure.

• Security Layer: Blockchain-based authentication & encryption.

  Metadata Fields

• Taonga ID (Unique identifier linked to a blockchain ledger).

• Whakapapa (Genealogy) (Historical and cultural lineage of the object).

• Kaitiakitanga (Custodianship) (Access control by cultural custodians).

• Geo-location Data (Optional location-based authentication).

• AR Marker Integration (For interactive display and storytelling).

5. Development Phases

Phase 1: Research & Stakeholder Engagement (Month 1-3)

• Consultation with indigenous communities and cultural institutions.

• Define technical and ethical standards.

Phase 2: Prototype Development (Month 4-6)

• Develop and test the i3u8 file structure.

• Integrate blockchain verification system.

Phase 3: AR & Metadata Integration (Month 7-9)

• Develop AR-interactive components.

• Ensure seamless metadata embedding for accessibility.

Phase 4: Pilot Testing & Validation (Month 10-12)

• Pilot with museums, iwi (tribal) groups, and digital archives.

• Gather feedback for refinements and future scalability.

6. Ethical Considerations

• Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Taonga ownership remains with indigenous custodians.

• Ethical AI & Blockchain: Ensure transparency in security frameworks.

• Consent & Permissions: Access control based on tribal and institutional governance.

7. Expected Outcomes

• A functional i3u8 prototype with verified metadata structures.

• Adoption by museums, archives, and indigenous knowledge holders.

• Creation of guidelines for ethical digital taonga management.

• A scalable framework for future indigenous digital asset authentication.

8. Conclusion

The i3u8 file extension represents a significant advancement in cultural technology, ensuring security, authenticity, and interactivity for digitised taonga and artefacts. By leveraging blockchain, AR, and kaupapa Māori principles, this initiative provides a sustainable and ethical solution for the digital preservation of indigenous heritage.