Despite a global push to recognize Indigenous knowledge systems in research, neuroscience remains embedded in Euro-Western ways of means and methods. Authentic capacity-building will bring Indigenous ways of knowing and doing to the neuroscience workforce, to research and to training, and will lead to diversified and strengthened approaches to discovery and clinical care strategies.
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Acknowledgements
J.I., M.L.P. and T.R.G. offer our respect to the Indigenous Peoples residing in Canada, acknowledging their spirituality, traditional knowledge, and cultural diversity; and we offer our gratitude for their environmental stewardship from time immemorial. R.T.-B. acknowledges the Country, Elders and community of the Kulin Nations in so-called Australia in which he works and pays respects to those past and present, and acknowledges that these sacred bonds to Country remain unbroken and unceded. R.K. extends the deepest respect and acknowledgement to the Indigenous peoples whose enduring relationships with the land reflect a deep reservoir of wisdom, honed over millennia, and offering invaluable insights into sustainable and balanced approaches to the world around us. The authors also acknowledge support from the Brocher Foundation for the Ethical Imperatives for Indigenous Perspectives on Mind and Brain Workshop (M.L.P. and J.I.: Co-principal Investigators; K.B., R.T.-B., H.C., T.R.G., A.L.S. and M.R.V.: Working Group Members); International Brain Initiative (IBI; Fonds de Recherche du Québec, Canadian Institutes Health Research/Institute of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addition (J.I.)); North Family Foundation (J.I.) and UBC Distinguished University Scholars Program (J.I.). J.I. is co-lead of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS; CIHR #171583;03027 IC-127354) and chair of the IBI. M.L.P. is a member of the CRBS Indigenous Knowledge Holders Advisory Group. M.L.P. is supported by the University of Guelph Research Leadership Chairs Program, and K.B. is supported by ZonMw. M.R.V. receives support from a Swiss National Science Foundation Grant (186035). H.C., T.R.G., R.K., and A.M. received no funding for this project. The authors thank J. Bjaalie, O. Matshabane and B. Kumar, members of the Brocher Working Group who participated in conversations about this work.
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There are different conventions for capitalization of Aboriginal and Indigenous people. We have chosen to use the upper case as is the convention in Canada, the home country of the lead authors. We respectfully acknowledge the many differences in approach and knowledge and offer appreciation in understanding. M.L.P. is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, Canada. R.T.-B. is an Iowendjeri Boonwurrung Kulin from the southeast of Melbourne/Birrarangga-Naarm, Australia. H.C. is of European background. A.D.M. is Ngāti Apa and Muaūpoko from Aotearoa, New Zealand and of Scottish decent. K.B. is of Middle East origins. T.R.G. is of European descent and a seventh generation Canadian. R.K. is of mixed origin, with parents from Ukraine and Pakistan. She lived for 15 years in Canada and 6 years in Sweden. A.L.S. is Norwegian, with parents from Nesset in Romsdalen and Vinje in Telemark. She has lived for 18 years in Sweden/Sápmi. M.R.V. has Purepecha roots from Michoacán, Mexico. J.I. is a Canadian of European background.
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Reference Group for the Appropriate Review of Indigenous Research: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/52136.html
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Perreault, M.L., Taylor-Bragge, R., Chneiweiss, H. et al. Indigenous representation in neuroscience scholarship, teaching and care. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 26, 373–375 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-025-00933-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-025-00933-2
