Katie Jones
Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs) steward lands and waters that sustain much of Earth’s biodiversity, yet their expertise and place-based knowledge are often overlooked in mainstream conservation. Wise Ancestors, a non-profit organization, challenges this by positioning IPs and LCs as essential partners rather than participants in outreach. Wise Ancestors co-develops Conservation Challenges that bridge knowledge systems, integrating genomic-based efforts—such as genome sequencing and biobanking—with community-defined research priorities. Our model centers community involvement at every stage to ensure IP and LC rights and interests are upheld, all actions align with local priorities, confer tangible benefits, occur with free, prior and informed consent, and proceed under mutually agreed terms. Engagement and documentation of consent are required before sampling or initiating contracts with genomic labs and biorepositories. Indigenous data sovereignty and governance are fundamental to our approach. We affirm consent continuously, inviting communities to define how data and samples are collected, stored, analyzed, and shared. By braiding genomic science with traditional knowledge systems and an equitable, decentralized model, Wise Ancestors offers an alternative framework for biodiversity conservation. This oral presentation introduces our model of co-created conservation that honors Indigenous stewardship alongside genomic science to address the biodiversity crisis more effectively and equitably. We will share examples from ongoing engagements, reflect on challenges encountered, and invite discussion on fostering sustainable and ethical relationships with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities around species conservation.