diff --git a/epictrack-api/src/api/services/work.py b/epictrack-api/src/api/services/work.py
index 9fdf14034..b5a623801 100644
--- a/epictrack-api/src/api/services/work.py
+++ b/epictrack-api/src/api/services/work.py
@@ -816,6 +816,7 @@ def import_first_nations(cls, work_id: int, indigenous_nation_ids: [int]):
                 ).all(),
             )
         )
+        existing_first_nations_ids = [nation["indigenous_nation_id"] for nation in existing_first_nations]
 
         # Mark removed entries as inactive
         disabled_count = existing_first_nations_qry.filter(
@@ -838,9 +839,12 @@ def import_first_nations(cls, work_id: int, indigenous_nation_ids: [int]):
 
         work = Work.find_by_id(work_id)
         nations_in_same_project = find_all_by_project_id(work.project_id)
+
+        new_nations_ids = [nation_id for nation_id in indigenous_nation_ids
+                           if nation_id not in existing_first_nations_ids]
         selected_nations = [
             nation for nation in nations_in_same_project
-            if nation.indigenous_nation_id in indigenous_nation_ids
+            if nation.indigenous_nation_id in new_nations_ids
         ]
         nations_to_insert = [
             {