Indigenous Leadership to Guide Chemical Risk Management Decisions at U of G

Dr. Susan Chiblow, professor in the School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College, is making strides in chemical pollution research. Susan realized that if humans wish to continue to live on earth, then we need to turn to the original caretakers of this land. 

“Indigenous knowledge is crucial for addressing this need. We want to use Indigenous research methods to evaluate current systems and transform them by including this expertise right from the start.” 

She will lead a research initiative that examines the impacts of glyphosate on the lands and residents of the Robinson Huron Treaty territory. This research will act as an example of Indigenous-led chemical risk management and inform future environmental and health assessments.   

Susan is a member and lifelong resident of Garden River First Nation in the Robinson Huron Treaty territory, and she has been collaborating with the Elders there for years. She is motivated by ways Anishinaabe peoples discuss health—not just the physical, but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual. Susan hopes that collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers can change the way we think about chemical pollution.  

As lead of the project, Susan will collaborate with experts, regulatory officials, and other decision makers on the Robinson Huron Treaty territory. She will emphasize working with community Elders and ensure that Indigenous knowledge is centred throughout the research process, so that care and respect for the environment are a priority in all chemical research.  

Susan wants Indigenous knowledge to expand beyond risk assessments and into the lab and classrooms. It is her hope that Indigenous science continues to be a priority in chemical policy development and risk management on a global scale.  

This project will be funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund – Transformation Stream, with over $22 million going towards Susan’s initiative.  

Learn more about this innovative research project in the full U of G news post.