Priority-Setting

Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) represent 4.9% of the population (https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/abpopprof/index.cfm?Lang=E), but only 1.6% of respondents to a recent CBRS survey on equity and inclusivity in Canadian neuroscience self-identified as an Indigenous person of North America (unpublished data, n=764). This underrepresentation solidified the commitment of the CBRS to develop a robust national strategy for brain research that reflects the diversity of Canada’s population, integrates Indigenous ways of knowing, and addresses the need for capacity building. In response, the CBRS partnered with Indigenous leaders in Canada who have research interests in brain and mental health to form an Indigenous Knowledge Holders Group (IKHG). They collaboratively convened a workshop in 2021 to identify ways that Indigenous stakeholders can have an explicit voice in the initiative, weave Indigenous knowledge into the fabric of the CBRS, and support Indigenous brain and mental wellness. Participants were invited from across Canada to engage in a 3-hour workshop involving large group discussions as well as small sharing circles, in a space that was safe for the exchange of knowledge. The 67 attendees included people from all backgrounds and career stages from more than 25 institutions across Canada, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. They were Indigenous researchers in neuroscience and other fields, non-Indigenous researchers working with Indigenous peoples and communities, and those simply interested in learning and sharing Indigenous perspectives on brain and mental wellness. Multiple notetakers recorded key themes from the discussions. Notes were aggregated, vetted, and finalized with the IKHG and form the basis of this report.

Dr. Christopher Mushquash laid the foundation for the workshop, noting that:

During the first arm of the workshop, participants shared their lived experiences and research in a roundtable format. They spoke about neuroscience research in Canada – by Indigenous colleagues, researchers focusing on Indigenous populations, those involved in Indigenous care, and people interested in engaging with Indigenous populations. There was a generous breadth of topics: among them, neurotoxic effects of pollution that disproportionately affect Indigenous populations, genetic disorders, artificial intelligence, and biophilic design.

Participants moved into sharing circles led by members of the IKHG in the second arm of the workshop. Here, the focus was on a question that has grounded the CBRS,

and how should this question be addressed through an Indigenous lens?

While the overall plan of the CBRS leans on a strong legacy of, and commitment to Canadian neuroscience that led to this a priori question fundamental to humanity, it did not take into account the vision of Indigenous peoples during its formulation. The discussion focused on if this question ought to be updated to address this gap, and if so, how.

Taken together, the workshop led to the following identified priorities:

1. 1. New partnerships and networks that embrace strength-based approaches and community engagement.

2. 2. Integration of Two-Eyed Seeing ^{Reference Bartlett, Marshall and Marshall1} in research and education.

3. 3. Increased understanding of the heterogeneity of Indigenous communities and nations.

4. 4. Stronger connections between Indigenous researchers, investigators who conduct Indigenous research, and Indigenous communities.

From Priorities to Action

From Action to Implementation

The CBRS is invested in taking meaningful action to ensure that Indigenous voices are embedded in every aspect of its strategic plan and implemented throughout its endeavors. Supported by the IKHG, there is an immediate recommendation to update the unifying question offered above to:

This modification immediately draws upon all four priorities for engaging, understanding, appreciating, and connecting as identified and described above, and takes into consideration historical contraventions of human rights of Indigenous Peoples and the right to health care for all people of Canada.

The challenges to achieve these goals are not trivial, but they are surmountable. Going forward, for example, tokenism cannot be tolerated. Changes must be adopted in neuroscience grant review so that Indigenous experts are better integrated. Nonpaternalistic and nontokenistic education and communication with Indigenous students is vital for early learning across disciplines. Inclusivity of different perspectives is foundational. Bidirectionality of knowledge exchange must be pursued through shared and accessible language. Infrastructures are needed to relieve the pressure on local communities as they hear and respond to calls for engagement. The creation of network environments for Indigenous health researchers and communities is one such mechanism; preclinical research may be another to place to start. Through its own extensive network, CBRS can be a vital force toward pursuing these priorities.

We recognize that it is also incumbent upon the CBRS to reinforce respectful conduct of research in neuroscience across Canada and recognize where Indigenous communities may not want to be involved. To achieve this, CBRS will build on existing guidance to develop best practices for neuroscience engagement with Indigenous communities, including creating space for community members to present issues of importance to higher decision-making bodies such as provincial and federal governments. Where no involvement is the case, the underlying reasons must be considered. It may be that more time for relationship building is required to achieve a trusting, bidirectional, and open dialog so that remedies can be explored.

Outreach and education will continue to evolve as an overall priority for the CBRS. An emphasis on the ways that history has shaped neuroscience and medicine today and on forging connections will further shape these programs. Outreach programs must be designed to ensure that people are not missed and, indeed, even attracted to Canadian neuroscience. Expanded engagement from community stakeholders in the IKHG will also be an important step forward to achieve this goal.

Finally, the CBRS can be a hub for advocacy to connect Indigenous researchers and Indigenous communities, develop initiatives for Indigenous students across Canada, and potentially play a central role in the development of an Indigenous trainee internship program. This kind of advocacy will also be concerned with how Indigenous research and researchers are organized and prioritized, identifying early adopters within the academic and scientific community and enabling them to serve as champions with their colleagues. Postdoctoral fellows who have yet to formulate their laboratories will be a first focus. And, advocacy does not end here: the CBRS can promote the importance of community-engaged research and articles on Indigenous knowledge in high-impact journals. ^{Reference Harding, Marra and Illes5}