How to put forest and conservation genomics into motion for and with Indigenous communities?

Abstract

Sustainable management and conservation (SMC) projects for natural resources in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples using a genomics approach are increasing in number. Information and tools/applications derived from genomics can be useful to them, particularly in the context of climate change. However, the challenge of translating these applications into practice and harnessing them to serve Indigenous communities remains. We present an exploratory literature review that addresses: (1) the demonstrated utility of genomics in SMC projects involving Indigenous Peoples, (2) some issues that may limit the adoption of genomics tools, and (3) the collaborative work between researchers and Indigenous communities in the analyzed studies. The demonstrated uses identified were largely of a socioecological nature. The complementary nature of Indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge in genomics was recognized as an opportunity that should be further developed to address current challenges such as climate change. Regarding the adoption into practice of this technology in SMC projects, in addition to similar issues with other end users, the integration of the needs, traditional values and knowledge of Indigenous communities in genomics projects also represents a challenge in the context of the decolonization of genomics research. Finally, community-researcher collaboration was identified as a key element in promoting the successful uptake of genomics in SMC.

A cryptic syngameon within Betula shrubs revealed: Implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments

“…Many of them are Indigenous communities. Involving them in the sampling and developing partnerships requires a long‐term commitment, an adequate source of funding, and above all, close and transparent collaboration that considers the needs, values and knowledge of these communities (Touchette et al., 2021 ).…”

Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into US public land management: Knowledge gaps and research priorities

“…The use of maps to guide discussions provide a bridge among different knowledge systems (Puri and Sahay, 2003;Robbins, 2003;Sandström et al, 2003;McCall and Minang, 2005;Puri, 2007;Laumonier et al, 2008;Torres-Meza et al, 2009;Cullen-Unsworth et al, 2012;Hoverman and Ayre, 2012;McCallum and Carr, 2012;Cullen, 2015;Gadamus and Raymond-Yakoubian, 2015;McGetrick et al, 2015;Lynch et al, 2017;Albuquerque et al, 2019;Peart, 2019;Cho and Mutanga, 2021;Shaw et al, 2021). Other emergent methodologies, such as art-based ecological projects (Höivik and Luger, 2009;Foley, 2017), ecosystem accounting (Normyle et al, 2022), online collaborative tools (Pert et al, 2015), and other technologies (Touchette et al, 2021), could further support TEK-integration into land management. Land managers may benefit from training in group facilitation and frameworks for working with diverse human populations.…”

Sovereign genes: wildlife conservation, genetic preservation, and Indigenous data sovereignty

“…To that end, this section outlines examples of projects involving conservation genetics, where IDS principles are instructive, illustrated both by examples of their employment and, sometimes, by their absence. The number of conservation projects that use genomic approaches and partner with Indigenous collaborators is a small but growing subset of the conservation landscape, though overall such projects remain under-documented (Touchette et al, 2021). Biopreservation at scale, though largely unprecedented, therefore, can and should be informed by these closely-related cases.…”

“…As noted above, contemporary genomic and biopreservation efforts are increasingly characterized by non-invasive sampling, which aligns better with Indigenous Peoples' values (Touchette et al, 2021). As a result, the worldwide trend in conservation projects utilizing genomics projects has trended toward "closer collaboration between communities and researchers, integrating values, principles and culture specific to the communities involved, [favoring] an ethical approach and giving greater recognition to the quest for self-determination of Indigenous Peoples" (Touchette et al, 2021, p. 309); the ultimate goal is biopreservation research and management decisions co-designed with Indigenous groups.…”

“…Critically, the following three researcher behaviors are essential for successful genomics partnerships with Indigenous communities: 1) "[never permitting the] use of data for purposes other than those planned or the sampling of data without the consent of the involved Indigenous communities", 2) "[centering the] importance of involving communities in all steps of the project, sharing control of the research and obtaining free, prior and informed consent are the foundations for an ethical Indigenous research approach", and 3) clearly communicating the "risks and benefits of potential approaches" (Touchette et al, 2021, p. 305-306). Finally, at the conclusion of analysis, researchers must prioritize returning to share findings and make those findings useful to any involved communities (Touchette et al, 2021). In addition, projects rejecting the old exploitative model can and should include research commitments to biopreservation infrastructure, governance, capacity-building, and training of Indigenous researchers for further, independent research and management goals alongside community benefit (Tsosie et al, 2021b).…”