Last week, D2R was proud to help host and support Indigenous students, researchers, community fellows, and faculty from across Turtle Island as they gathered in Montr茅al and Kahnaw脿:ke for SING Canada 2026 (Summer internship for INdigenous peoples in Genomics). Delivered through a collaboration between SING Canada, the Kahnaw脿:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO), 91丝瓜视频, and D2R, the week-long program brought together emerging leaders in genomics for hands-on scientific training, knowledge sharing, and critical conversations about Indigenous data sovereignty, ethics, health research, and community-led science.
Through field activities, environmental monitoring, and discussions led by community knowledge holders, KEPO played a central role in connecting genomics research with Indigenous stewardship, local priorities, and the lived realities of the Kahnaw脿:ke community. This year's collaboration with KEPO was made possible in large part through the leadership and efforts of SING faculty member Laurie Kariiosta Montour of the Mohawk Nation of Kahnaw脿:ke, whose longstanding relationships and commitment to community-led research helped bring the partnership to life.
The 2026 edition marked the return of a full SING Canada workshop for the first time since 2023. Building on recent international collaborations, including SING S谩bme in Sweden in 2025 and the Global Indigenous Leadership in Genomics Symposium held in Vancouver in 2024, this year's program reaffirmed SING Canada's commitment to building Indigenous capacity and leadership in genomics.
鈥淪ING Canada is about more than genomics and scientific training,鈥� said Warren Cardinal-McTeague, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship at the University of British Columbia and Faculty Member involved with SING since 2022. 鈥淚t's about creating space for Indigenous Peoples to lead, shape, and carry out research that reflects our own priorities, values, and ways of knowing. Through these annual workshops, we aim to demonstrate what meaningful, collaborative research can look like when Indigenous communities are true partners. This year we're proud to be working alongside the Kahnaw脿:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO), bringing together community knowledge, environmental stewardship, and genomics to address questions that matter locally.鈥�
鈥淐ommunity involvement matters,鈥� said Laurie Kariiosta Montour, Mohawk Nation of Kahnawake, one of the faculty behind this initiative. 鈥淪ING gratefully acknowledges all the Kahnawake organizations, businesses, longhouses and individuals working alongside us to make SING a success while sharing the best of what Kahnawake has to offer.鈥�
Throughout the week, participants moved between 91丝瓜视频 and Kahnaw脿:ke, taking part in fieldwork, laboratory activities, and discussions led by Indigenous scholars, researchers, and community leaders, and staff from Kahnawake Environment Protection Office (KEPO). A central focus of this year's program was a collaborative research project with the Kahnaw脿:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) exploring aquatic environmental metagenomics. Through hands-on environmental DNA (eDNA) water sampling and filtering, DNA extraction, and sequencing demonstrations using Oxford Nanopore technology, participants learned how genomics can be integrated with Indigenous knowledge and community priorities to support environmental stewardship and community-led research.
In the photo: a SING participant and one of the faculty behind the initiative,聽Elizabeth 鈥淏etsy鈥� Nelson, Assistant Professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.聽
For D2R, partnering with SING Canada reflects a shared commitment to advancing inclusive, community-centred research and creating opportunities for Indigenous leadership in the life sciences.
鈥淲hen I first learned about SING Canada, my first thought was, 鈥業 wish something like this had existed when I was younger鈥欌�� says Tamara Hansen, Associate Director, Indigenous Health Research at D2R. 鈥淚 have always loved science, and growing up I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who encouraged that curiosity. But I have never had the opportunity to be in a space like this, where community members and Indigenous students from across Canada come together because they share that same passion. Seeing everyone support one another, learn from each other, and build lasting connections was incredibly inspiring. The science is amazing, but what really stood out to me were the relationships being built.I hope everyone leaves knowing they are becoming role models for the next generation of Indigenous youth. I am proud that D2R was able to help support a program that I know would have meant so much to me when I was starting out.鈥�
One of the defining strengths of SING Canada is its ability to connect technical learning with broader conversations about community priorities, data governance, and responsible research practices. Participants engaged in discussions on Indigenous Data Sovereignty, including the OCAP庐 (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) principles, science communication, Indigenous health genomics, and community-led research models, while also building practical skills in laboratory and bioinformatics methods. Guest speakers and faculty encouraged participants to explore not only the potential of genomics technologies, but also their ethical, social, and community implications. While the workshop has concluded, the collaborative learning journey continues as participants delve deeper into the bioinformatic analysis of the environmental data collected during the week, working alongside faculty and community partners to further explore the project's findings.
鈥淪ING Canada was founded in order to enhance the standard scientific training that Indigenous students receive in the university. While Indigenous community members are keen to learn the ideas and methods in their biology or chemistry classes, they often feel isolated in standard university science programs,鈥� said Kim TallBear, Co-founder of SING Canada and Professor at the University of Minnesota鈥揟win Cities. 鈥淭hey wonder, how can they use such knowledge to give back to their communities? Unlike in the university, where they are alone or one of very few Indigenous people in a science classroom or lab, and they almost never see an Indigenous science professor, the SING program helps them see that their interests do not conflict with commitment to community. SING emphasizes science as vital to Indigenous governance. Indigenous nations must control our own applied science and scientific research in order to manage our lands, waters, community health, and all of our institutions. SING is helping produce a growing cadre of young Indigenous scientific thinkers who understand that science does not only have to be a tool of colonialism, but it can be a tool for Indigenous sovereignty and thriving.鈥�
Beyond the scientific programming, the workshop fostered meaningful connections among participants, mentors, faculty, and community partners. From field activities in Kahnaw脿:ke to conversations in the D2R offices, gatherings at 91丝瓜视频's First Peoples' House in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, and activities across 91丝瓜视频's downtown campus, the week created space for learning, mentorship, collaboration, and reflection. A collective art project also encouraged participants to reflect on their experiences and learning throughout the week.
鈥淥ne thing that I will definitely take away is the relationships with the other SING participants,鈥� said one of this year鈥檚 SING participants Rylan McCallum, Medical Student at the University of Manitoba, Rady Faculty of Medicine. 鈥�It was so heartwarming to see so many young Indigenous scientists who want to collaborate, work together, and be at the forefront of advancing Indigenous health and science.Having these conversations about how we conduct research, and how research can be Indigenous-led when done properly in collaboration with Indigenous communities, was incredibly meaningful.鈥�
鈥淚t has been such a great week being able to see so many successful Indigenous people in science and to learn about the paths they have taken in their careers,鈥� said another SING participants Brooke Chapman, BSc recent graduate at Vancouver Island University. 鈥淭he activities this week were incredibly varied, but together they created a connected and well-rounded experience. Everything really worked together. We participated in an art project, but we also spent time in the lab. Some of my favourite experiences were going out into the field for sampling and seeing the work that KEPO has been doing. Then we got into the lab, which is my happy place. I was even able to help some of the participants who had less laboratory experience, so I had the opportunity to share some of my knowledge, which was really rewarding.鈥�
In the photo: two SING participants in the Biochemistry lab at 91丝瓜视频
鈥淭he community and the connections have been the most important part of this experience for me,鈥� said another SING participant Aidan Buchanan, BSc student at the University of British Columbia. 鈥淚 just graduated from university, so I'm kind of in between communities right now, and I've really missed those connections with people. Here, you meet people on the first day and there's no hesitation鈥攖hey treat you like family right away. I've found that this happens wherever you go with Indigenous communities, and I really appreciated how warmly everyone welcomed me. Kevin Deer gave us such a kind welcome, and everyone I met throughout the week was incredibly generous and supportive. I hope that any Indigenous person who doesn't always feel like they belong knows that the Indigenous community will always be there for them. That sense of community is one of the most important things in my life, and I couldn't be more grateful for it.鈥�
The workshop concluded with a celebration recognizing participants' achievements and the growing network of Indigenous scholars and allies helping to shape the future of genomics research. D2R was honoured to contribute to the week's programming and to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's cohort alongside SING Canada organizers, faculty, Elders, community partners, and participants.
鈥淚t was a privilege for D2R to help host SING Canada 2026 and welcome such an engaged and inspiring group of participants to Montreal,鈥� concludes Giovanna Sebastiani, Director of Administration at D2R. 鈥淭he enthusiasm, curiosity, and sense of community that developed throughout the week were truly remarkable. We are grateful to SING Canada, our partners in Kahnaw脿:ke, and everyone who contributed to making this year's program such a success. At D2R we look forward to continuing collaborations that advance Indigenous-led research, training, and innovation in genomics.鈥�
