Crosscultural Working Group

The goal of this IBI initiative is to continue to advocate for the meaningful involvement of Indigenous persons and communities in new technologies, particularly those related to the brain and mind.

Indigenous persons around the world are overrepresented in mental health and disability conditions. Yet they tend to be excluded from both research and policy developments related to these issues. The challenge is further aggravated by the rapid development of new technologies, which are at risk of reproducing past mistakes: taking a charity-based approach to Indigenous well-being, disregarding Indigenous knowledge and governance, excluding communities from key decision-making, and either overgeneralizing or ignoring the diversity of Indigenous communities.

While ethics standards have significantly matured over the last decades, there is still much work to do to ensure that research is robust and properly disseminated—and that policymakers are making evidence-based decisions at both local and global levels.

We bring together scientists from a variety of backgrounds from around the world in an effort to create a space for dialogue and a bridge between good practices in research and Indigenous knowledge and policymaking.

To establish best practices, stakeholders will share perspectives on mind and brain using the following framework:

Learning and Acceptance. Cultural perspectives differ when it comes to brain and mental health. Often a holistic approach to health, including the incorporation of natural therapies and spirituality, is embraced. The best way to develop open and honest cross-cultural relationships and to create safe spaces will be discussed, as will views on the integration of Western and traditional practices in treatment pertaining to neurologic and mental health disorders.

Research Design and Methodology. Neuroscience research teams often develop research questions and approaches without consultation with the communities under investigation. However, research should be a true partnership with the community whereby the needs and desires of the community are known, where community has a voice in the design, and where the community gains benefit from the interaction. Building on some existing and evolving methods in Canada and elsewhere, the Working Group will examine and deliver recommendations to the IBI to achieve this priority goal for global neuroscience.

Analytical Approaches and Data Interpretation. Like the imperative for inclusivity in research design and methods, best practices for data sharing and data interpretation will be explored and discussed. 

Community Engagement in Neuroscience Results. There is a lack of trust in science and medicine due to a historic mistreatment of select communities. Best approaches to and alternate modes relationship-building for dissemination of results, education, and outreach will be a focus for and shared by this Working Group.