For centuries, scientists have perceived Indigenous peoples around the world as ‘objects of curiosity.’ In some cases, Indigenous groups were – and some might argue, still are – used as guinea pigs. The world should have woken up to that troubling reality in 2007, when the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted; it stated that Indigenous peoples have the right to "free prior and informed consent” when taking part in research. But has anything changed? And have journalists and media played their role in exposing unfair treatment and attitudes towards Indigenous peoples?
This panel will hear from Indigenous leaders who are helping change the way scientists approach their people by exposing past wrongs, as well as advocating for increased Indigenous participation in science.