Aboriginal women and ABS

The Chiefs of Ontario report further articulates the connection between ATK and ABS policy: ATK usually refers to those indigenous systems of knowledge, as well as cultural practices and methodologies related to the production of knowledge based on traditional belief systems, relationships to the environment, and community practices. [...] Such appropriation raises further concerns about the distortion of the intentions of ATK; the disregard for ATK; and the lack of Aboriginal control at the end of the project. [...] From a review of the literature and to fulfill the needs of EC for feedback, it was determined to focus questions on the following topics: Awareness of ABS in general and in Aboriginal communities. [...] Regarding what role participants felt Aboriginal women should play in the management of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, approximately 95% of respondents supported all 18 of the provided categories, which were including Aboriginal women in the following: in the management of genetic resources and traditional knowledge as participants in developing policies to protect such resources and [...] Nevertheless, when asked to select the capacities in which the federal government should help to develop an ABS policy, numerous women identified the following roles for the government to consider: Figure 05: FEDERAL ROLE IN ABS POLICIES 19 Participants’ selections concluded that the Government of Canada should recognize and encourage the value of traditional knowledge as a tool for preserving the