Overview
This funding program will strengthen First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit (hereafter referred to as Indigenous) technical, social scientific and community capacities to engage with and conduct genomics research in ways that uphold and advance Indigenous rights to self-determination. The program will invest in partnerships to support career development and research transition programs that lead to independent research and advance careers in genomics.
Objectives
The program will provide Indigenous-led training opportunities for Indigenous students and community practitioners, equipping them with genomic skills and capabilities that integrate Indigenous knowledge systems, values and perspectives with modern science, technology and social scientific critique. It will foster the exploration of the intersections between Indigenous ways of knowing and practices, and disciplines, such as genomics, environmental science and other scientific and technological fields.
Primary objectives of this funding program:
- Building Indigenous capacity in genomics: Strengthening technical, social scientific and community capacities among Indigenous students and practitioners to enable Indigenous student/practitioner engagement in genomics research.
- Promoting career development: Supporting career development and transitions into independent research roles, advancing the careers of Indigenous participants in genomics and related fields.
- Integrating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives: Equipping participants with skills that blend Indigenous knowledge systems, values and perspectives with modern scientific and technological disciplines.
- Advancing Indigenous self-determination: Ensuring genomics research and applications uphold and promote Indigenous rights to self-determination.
- Fostering interdisciplinary exploration: Encouraging the intersection of Indigenous ways of knowing with genomics, biotechnology, environmental science and other fields to promote innovative, inclusive and culturally relevant research.
1: Community capacities refers to the applied skills, knowledge systems and learning approaches that Indigenous communities identify as essential for engaging with and advancing genomics research and knowledge creation. These capacities may be rooted in Indigenous knowledge and practices, or integrated with scientific methods and methodologies.