Bioarchaeology, DNA, and Indigeneity

This theme brings together discussions and resources addressing the rapidly developing ethical dimensions of genetic research.

Key questions related to this theme include:

• How is genetic information being used to define—or redefine—identity, ancestry, and diversity?
• What are the ensuing social, ethical, and practical implications of DNA research for descendent communities, Indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders?
• What are the intersections of genetic and cultural identities?
• What can cases such as those or the 13,000-year-old “Anzick Child” from the Anzick site in Montana or the more recent individual, Kwäday Dän Ts'ìnchi (“Long Ago Person Found”), in northern British Columbia teach us about moving forward with genetic studies through collaborative research?

As archaeologists and anthropologists increasingly turn to genetic information to provide insights into past societies and cultures, there are important implications for Indigenous peoples today. The use of genetic research and testing can both help or hinder determinations of Indigenous ancestry and tribal belonging, land and resource claims, and for the repatriation of human remains. In short, DNA is changing the way in which identity is constructed—both for ancient and present-day peoples. 

Events

DNA and Indigeneity Public Symposium & Workshop Exploring the promise and perils of using biological and genetic information to inform understandings of Indigenous identity.

Community Initiatives

The Journey Home - Guiding Intangible Knowledge Production in the Analysis of Ancestral Remains This study, co-developed by David Schaepe, Director, Stó:lo Research and Resource Management Centre and Susan Rowley, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, stems from the Journey Home Project, a repatriation of ancestral remains from the UBC Lab of Archaeology (LOA) to the Stó:lo Nation of southwestern B.C.

Reports

DNA and Indigeneity: Symposium Proceedings

FINAL PROJECT REPORT: The Journey Home - Guiding Intangible Knowledge Production in the Analysis of Ancestral Remains

Blog Posts

Returning Ancestral Remains: Lessons Learned from the Rickley Collection By Chelsea Meloche	Appropriation (?) of the Month: Indigenous Peoples and Genetic Research By Roger Chennells
An Introduction to the Ethics, Politics, and Practicality of Ancient DNA Research in Archaeological Contexts By Alexa Walker	Appropriation (?) of the Month: Who Should Benefit from Ancient Human Remains?: Legal, Ethical, and Economic Challenges By Alexa Walker

Fact Sheets

Ancient DNA (aDNA): What is it? Why is it important?

Readings

DNA & Indigeneity Workshop Bibliography

Videos & Podcasts

Symposium Welcome Speaker: George Nicholas & Victor Guerin This public symposium explores the promise and perils of using biological and genetic data to understand Indigenous identity, past and present.	Science and Whiteness Speaker: Kim Tallbear During the 19th century, the American School of Anthropology enfolded Native peoples into their histories, claiming knowledge about and artifacts of these cultures as their rightful inheritance and property.
Bringing the Ancient One Home Speaker: Armand Minthorn The final resting place of Kennewick Man, or the Ancient One, remains a highly debated question.	Repatriation and the Limits of Genetic Identity Speaker: Dorothy Lippert In the United States, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History repatriates human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony to federally-recognized tribes.
Provenancing Indigenous Human Remains for Repatriation Speaker: Cressida Fforde In Australia, DNA research has yet to be used for the purposes of repatriating Indigenous ancestral remains, but it is beginning to be discussed, particularly in relation to those remains with no, or little, provenance information available within archival sources.	Partnerships with First Nations of BC on Studies that Include DNA Analysis Speaker: Ripan Malhi Over the past decade, we have partnered with First Nations of British Columbia on projects that include DNA analysis of both living community members and ancestors, the latter through the analysis of ancient skeletal remains.
Indigenous Identity at the Intersection of Medical Genetics Discourses Speaker: Rosalina James Beginning in the early twenty-first century, the genomic age has seen academic interests expand beyond Indigenous global migrations to more medically-driven population genetic research. In this environment, scientific narratives tend to privilege race-based biological explanations for physical and mental health phenomena.	Genetics, Identity, and Justice Speaker: Daryl Pullman Drawing on some recent cases from Newfoundland and Labrador (e.g. repatriation of Beothuk remains; membership in the Qalipu Mi’kmaq ‘landless’ tribe), this presentation explores differing notions of identity (e.g. genetic, cultural, and otherwise) as well as various conceptions of justice (distributive, compensatory, retributive, restorative) relating them to issues of repatriation, tribal identity, and land claims.
Cautionary Notes on Using Biology to Infer Identity and Ancestry Speaker: Alan Goodman While it is typically understood that identities are multiple and fluid, the same instability and fluidity applies to human biology. The instability of biology makes the use of “racial categories” particularly problematic and shows that the notion of closed and isolated groups is typically a myth.	Inferring Relatedness, Identity, and Cultural Affiliation from Ancient DNA Speaker: Deborah Bolnick Recent advances in genomic technologies have made it increasingly feasible to collect genetic data from ancient human remains. This presentation will explore a key question: What do—and don’t—genetic analyses tell us about relatedness, identity, and shared culture?
Bioarchaeology, Genetics and IP Working Group Speaker: Daryl Pullman Daryl Pullman presenting on the "Bioarchaeology, Genetics and IP Working Group" at the IPinCH Midterm Conference, Sept 30th - Oct 1st 2011.