ABSTRACT
With recent technological developments, the scale and rate of published human paleogenomic studies involving Indigenous nations and Ancestors have increased rapidly, outpacing the development of ethical research frameworks and considerations of the sociopolitical impacts of these studies for Indigenous peoples. Our group of Indigenous and allied non-Indigenous scientists, bioethicists, and collaborators draws attention to some of the current ethical challenges in paleogenomics by contextualizing the relationship between researchers, Indigenous nations, and Indigenous Ancestors. We draw upon Opaskwayak Cree scholar Shawn Wilson’s principle of “relational accountability” to provide a new framework for paleogenomic research that calls for developing community-based, collaborative partnerships between researchers and Indigenous nations that emphasize respect, reciprocity, and responsibility. Applying this Indigenous methodology upholds the relationship between Indigenous nations and Ancestors by centering these nations as partners and stakeholders in the paleogenomic research process. As an example of this work, we discuss the ongoing collaboration between the Metlakatla First Nation and the Malhi Molecular Anthropology Laboratory at the University of Illinois. Ultimately, we argue, collaborative paleogenomic research partnerships will produce more relevant, high-impact results for Indigenous peoples and robust scientific practices that prioritize intercultural justice.
