Genomic data is a powerful source of knowledge to better understand ourselves and our environment. For Indigenous communities, genomic research can support environmental stewardship, improve healthcare, and enrich knowledge of their histories. However, colonial institutions have often exploited, rather than empowered Indigenous people, using data without their consent. To ensure genomic research benefits Indigenous communities and upholds their sovereignty, active Indigenous participation and leadership in science is essential.
Dr. Kim TallBear (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate), Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Peoples, Technoscience, and Society and professor at the University of Alberta, is a trailblazer in this work. As a strong advocate for decolonizing science and promoting ethical engagement with genomics, Dr. TallBear has worked to expand opportunities for Indigenous peoples in science and technology. This includes co-founding initiatives like the Summer internship for INdigenous peoples in Genomics (SING), which helps Indigenous students develop skills and build networks in the research community. In recognition of these achievements and her visionary leadership, Dr. TallBear was awarded this year’s Genome Canada Societal Impact Award.
“Through serving and training Indigenous students in ethical critical approaches, I got really invested in cheerleading their careers and helping them do what they want to do,” says Dr. TallBear, “These students are really interested in science, but we need to use science for our own questions, and not just be the subjects of colonial inquiries into our bodies, languages and histories.”
Dr. TallBear’s work with SING began in 2011 as one of its founding members. The program aimed to increase Indigenous capacity and representation in genomics. The program provides post-secondary students, postdoctoral researchers and community fellows with training in genomics, bioinformatics and Indigenous and decolonial bioethics through an intensive one-week workshop. While SING began in the USA, it has since transformed into a global consortium which boasts over 450 alumni globally. Dr. TallBear co-founded SING Canada in 2018, which has since hosted four summer workshops and a global symposium.
“We go beyond inclusion, into taking back resources, restoring governance authority and moving towards decolonization,” says Dr. TallBear. “They’re getting that really sophisticated understanding of the role of science in Indigenous societies.”
While each SING Canada workshop is only one-week long, the impact on participants can be transformational. Working under the guidance of SING faculty, participants gain hands-on training in the classroom, lab and field, blending both genomic sciences and Indigenous knowledge.
In addition to building research skills, the workshop is also a critical opportunity for participants to build community. Through shared meals, evening talking circles and other gatherings, participants connect with other Indigenous scholars like themselves who share a passion for science. The program is also notable for its high proportion of women, non-binary and 2-spirit identifying participants. For many first-generation students, the SING workshop is their first opportunity to meet other Indigenous students in their area of study.
“They realize they’re not alone and begin to build that professional network, and they meet faculty that can help them contextualize the science in relation to their societies. It helps them bring together their personal histories with their love of science and figure out how they can pursue a scientific career while serving their community,” says Dr. TallBear.
Many participants have gone on to successful careers in genomics, with some now acting as leaders and mentors for the next generation. For Dr. Warren Cardinal-McTeague (Métis and Cree), who participated in SING Canada in 2019 as a postdoctoral fellow, the workshop was a life-changing experience.
“As a Métis and Cree scholar, I was trained in Western science, but I didn’t have access to essential topics like critical Indigenous theory, Indigenous data sovereignty, bioethics and the politics of genomics research. SING Canada gave me the language and eyes to critique colonialism in science which helped redirect my career towards enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ capacity to lead environmental research,” says Dr. Cardinal-McTeague. “Our conversations were healing, inspiring, and motivated us to keep doing the hard work of making change for our communities.”
Since participating in SING Canada, Dr. Cardinal-McTeague went on to become an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia in 2022. That same year, he joined SING Canada as a faculty member, and his workshop experience remains a source of inspiration.
“I’m currently offering a graduate course on Indigenous research and data governance which is designed to help students collaborating with Indigenous community partners reflect on their motivations and approach the work in a good way,” says Dr. Cardinal-McTeague. “SING Canada heavily influenced the course, and students say they wish they had access to these topics sooner. SING Canada and Kim TallBear’s work has paved the way for myself and so many others to find critical and in-depth topics they’ve been yearning for.”
As SING Canada continues to grow, it is restructuring to become more of service to Indigenous communities. In coming workshops, participants will work to answer research questions co-created with their community, centering the importance of Indigenous self-governance, data sovereignty and giving-back.
“We want to use science to restore our governance authorities, and SING is part of this global conversation on how to manage data and regulatory capacity to support Indigenous sovereignty,” says Dr. TallBear. “We want Indigenous scientists taking the lead, and we’re seeing this future already.”
To learn more about SING Canada, follow this link.
To learn more about Genome Alberta’s funded initiatives please see our Project Portfolio.
