In response to a study by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science & Research (SRSR Committee) on how best to integrate Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and science into government policy development, CBRS submitted a policy brief on, “Immersing and Utilizing Indigenous Knowledges in Policy to Bridge Brain Science with the Future“.
The brief states: the “implementation and application of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge with governmental policy development is imperative for substantial growth in brain research” and outlines a three-pronged approach to incorporate traditional and cultural knowledge into governmental policy development:
- preserving and restoring Indigenous Knowledges;
- guiding and mentoring future knowledge sharers; and
- application of Indigenous Knowledges across transdisciplinary environments.
The brief builds on CBRS’s efforts to amplifying the unique and diverse voices of Indigenous peoples in Canada to enrich brain research, led by our Indigenous Knowledges Holders Group (IKHG). Since its inception, the IKHG has held series of workshops to initiate dialogue on developing relationships and concrete solutions for brain health research with Indigenous Peoples.
As Western science comes to the realization that we must take a collaborative, transdisciplinary, open approach to make real advances in understanding complex systems, we can look to Indigenous Traditional Knowledges for guidance and valuable insights into holistic approaches to health, including the understanding of the brain.
The SRSR Committee is comprised of Members of Parliament across all political parties to allow them to hear from Canadians and experts on issues of national concern on science and research. Read more about their study: Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and science into government policy development.
Read our full policy brief here.
