The Future of Indigenous Genomics Innovation Spotlight Presented by
Science and medicine, scientist analyzing and dropping a sample into a glassware, experiments containing chemical liquid in laboratory on glassware, DNA structure, innovative and technology. Science and medicine, scientist analyzing and dropping a sample into a glassware, experiments containing chemical liquid in laboratory on glassware, DNA structure, innovative and technology.

Spotlight on the Future of Indigenous Genomics Innovation

IndigenousGenomicsTech
Published on
Nadine Caron / Co-Lead - Silent Genomes Project
Tiff-Annie Kenny / Professor - Université Laval
Eric Solomon / Co-Lead - Ikaarvik

Le texte français suit ci-dessous.

Listen to the Podcast:

How will we fight climate change? What are our plans to deal with rare diseases and future pandemics? What can we do to future-proof our food systems? 

These are just some of the existential questions that will guide the direction of Canada’s future economy as time goes on, and the need the find the right answers is urgent. Thankfully, genomics offers us a host of solutions. 

Leading the way in the field of genomics are Indigenous leaders who are playing an important role in strengthening the solutions coming out of this field, despite having long been marginalized from research. In this Spotlight, we will shed light on the important Indigenous innovations happening in the genomics scene and how Canada can make the most of this opportunity: by supporting Indigenous research, uplifting Indigenous talent and respecting Indigenous knowledge. 

Takeaways

  1. Genomics research can play a crucial role in stabilizing, securing and diversifying food systems in Canada, especially with the help of Indigenous communities.
  2. Genomics is revolutionizing healthcare and climate research, but Indigenous knowledge and priorities must be incorporated into genomics research for better results and more robust data.
  3. Academia must ensure that they are inclusive and welcoming to Indigenous students to help build the next generation of Indigenous talent.
  4. The government must channel more funding to Indigenous-led research initiatives and treat that research as equal to research from non-Indigenous sources.

Version française

Le futur de l’innovation génomique autochtone

Comment lutterons-nous contre le changement climatique ? Quels sont nos stratégies pour faire face aux maladies rares et aux futures pandémies ? Que pouvons-nous faire pour pérenniser nos systèmes alimentaires ?

Ce ne sont là que quelques-unes des questions existentielles qui guideront l’orientation de l’économie future du Canada, et le besoin de trouver les bonnes réponses est urgent. La génomique nous offre une foule de solutions.

À l’avant-garde dans le domaine de la génomique, les dirigeants autochtones jouent un rôle important dans le renforcement des solutions issues de ce domaine, même s’ils ont longtemps été marginalisés de la recherche. Dans ce Spotlight, nous mettons de l’avant des innovations autochtones importantes dans le domaine de la génomique et nous illustrons comment le Canada peut tirer le meilleur parti de cette opportunité : en soutenant la recherche autochtone, en élevant le talent autochtone et en respectant le savoir autochtone.

Points clés

  1. La recherche en génomique peut jouer un rôle crucial dans la stabilisation, la sécurisation et la diversification des systèmes alimentaires au Canada, en particulier avec l’aide des communautés autochtones.
  2. La génomique révolutionne la recherche sur les soins de santé et le climat, mais les connaissances et les priorités autochtones doivent être intégrées à la recherche en génomique pour obtenir de meilleurs résultats et des données plus solides.
  3. Le milieu universitaire doit s’assurer qu’il est inclusif et accueillant pour les étudiants autochtones afin d’aider à former la prochaine génération de talents autochtones.
  4. Le gouvernement doit acheminer davantage de financement vers des initiatives de recherche dirigées par des autochtones et traiter cette recherche comme égale avec la recherche provenant de sources non autochtones.
Watch the Expert Takes and Read the Full Interviews:
Silent Genomes: Precision Medicine and Indigenous DNA Nadine Caron Co-Lead - Silent Genomes Project "Access to research is a determinant of health. If research is being done without Indigenous people present, they will not have a say in the research questions." Genomics for Indigenous Food Systems Tiff-Annie Kenny Professor - Université Laval "A diverse portfolio approach is necessary for us to maintain the stability of our food systems in the context of fluctuating and unpredictable environmental conditions." Indigenous Knowledge and Genomics Research Eric Solomon Co-Lead - Ikaarvik "The nature of change is so significant and rapid that any one tool, whether it is Western science or Indigenous knowledge, is no longer good enough alone."
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