Low Indigenous representation across the genome sciences, ethics, and science policy fields is an ongoing problem. For one full week each summer, a University of Alberta developed initiative called Summer internship for Indigenous peoples in Genomics (SING) Canada, attacks these problems head on and via diverse themes. The annual SING summer program is all-expenses-paid, including lab/equipment fees, travel, lodging, and meals. During the full week, participants are provided hands-on experience in bioinformatics, genomics, and Indigenous and decolonial bioethics. All participants are Indigenous and come from a range of educational backgrounds. They partner in the lab and work under the guidance of SING faculty and in work with graduate teaching assistants. In 2022, they plan to meet in person and online for this year’s theme #LandBack: Indigenous Peoples, Soil Science, and Disruptive Sequencing Technologies. In 2023 the plan is to be fully in person. The goal is to help support and train Indigenous scientists most centrally but also Indigenous science policy experts and leaders in intersecting fields.
ActiveGenomics in Society
Summer Internship for Indigenous Peoples in Genomics (SING)
Competition/Funding OpportunityGenome Canada Emerging Opportunities
Project Lead(s)/Co-Lead(s)Kim TallBear & Jessica Kolopenuk (University of Alberta)