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Ancient Human DNA Research in North America and Abroad: Challenges and Opportunities by Alexa R. Walker B.A., Simon Fraser University, 2013 Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Archaeology Faculty of Environment Alexa R. Walker 2015 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2015 Approval Name: Alexa Walker Degree: Master of Arts Title: Ancient Human DNA Research in North America and Abroad: Challenges and Opportunities Examining Committee: Chair: John Welch Associate Professor George Nicholas Senior Supervisor Professor Dongya Yang Supervisor Professor Roger Chennells External Examiner Practising Attorney Chennells Albertyn Attorneys Date Defended/Approved: July 7, 2015 ii Ethics Statement iii Abstract The field of ancient DNA has revolutionized the way in which archaeologists and anthropologists investigate the lives of ancient people. However, there is a growing awareness that genetic research has important and diverse implications for people living today. These considerations are of particular importance for Indigenous peoples for whom genetic pronouncements about identity and ancestry may have important social, cultural, and political consequences. This thesis addresses these complex issues through three sources of information: literature on genetic research involving modern populations and how this translates to the context of ancient DNA; a review of case studies involving the genetic analysis of eight archaeological individuals found in British Columbia; and a survey completed by 47 ancient DNA researchers working around the world. The results of this tripartite study suggest that researchers working in this field face an array of social, ethical, and political challenges that differ significantly depending on the geographic location of their study. The unique needs, interests, and values of descendant communities situated around the world with whom the survey respondents interact, and in many cases work with, are important factors to consider when interpreting this difference. Three recommendations are provided along with relevant resources to assist researchers in navigating the challenges associated with ancient DNA studies and to create opportunities for a more equitable and collaborative investigation of the human past. Keywords: Ancient DNA; genetics; bioarchaeology; ethics; survey; British Columbia; North America iv Dedication What is past is prologue. -William Shakespeare v Acknowledgements I am very grateful for the help and support of my senior supervisor, Dr. George Nicholas. Your encouragement, patience, humour, and surprise deliveries of chocolate kept me going. I also thank Dr. Dongya Yang for his continued support throughout this project and Dr. Roger Chennells for his thoughtful questions and constructive feedback. I am grateful for the financial support I have received from the Intellectual Property Issues in Cultural Heritage (IPinCH) Project, Simon Fraser University, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). I am thankful to all participants of this project who so generously shared their knowledge and perspectives with me. In particular, I acknowledge Dr. Ripan S. Malhi for the valuable constructive feedback he provided in the early stages of this project. Additionally, I thank Brian Egan and Kristen Dobbin, as well as other members of the IPinCH team at SFU and elsewhere around the world. It has been an absolute privilege to work with you. I am grateful to the Archaeology Graduate Program staff, as well as my fellow Archaeology grad students. I’d especially like to thank: Mariane Gaudreau for many entertaining and informative discussions at coffee shops around the city, Joe Hepburn for his willingness to assist with various aspects of this project, and Alyssa Jordan for our much needed Skype debriefs Finally, a special word of thanks goes to my parents, Leslie and Gord, and to my brother, Caden, for their continuous support and encouragement throughout this process. vi Table of Contents Approval ............................................................................................................................... ii Ethics Statement ................................................................................................................. iii Abstract ............................................................................................................................... iv Dedication ............................................................................................................................ v Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. vi Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ....................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures....................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1. Ancient Human DNA Research in Archaeology ..................................... 1 1.1. A Shift in Orientation .................................................................................................. 3 1.2. Research Objectives .................................................................................................. 4 1.2.1. Thesis Organization ..................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2. Understanding the Social, Ethical, Legal, and Political Dimensions of Ancient DNA Research .................................................... 7 2.1. Considering the Historical Context of Ancient DNA Research ................................. 9 2.1.1. The Human Genome Diversity Project ........................................................ 9 2.1.2. The Havasupai ........................................................................................... 12 2.1.3. The Nuu-Chah-Nulth .................................................................................. 13 2.1.4. Learning from the Past ............................................................................... 14 2.2. Intellectual Property, Ownership, and Ancient DNA ............................................... 15 2.2.1. Property Rights and the Human Body ....................................................... 15 2.2.2. Claiming Ownership over Ancient Genetic Information ............................. 17 2.3. Considering the Limitations of Individual Consent in Genetic Research ................ 19 2.3.1. Considering Consent and Consultation in the Context of Ancient DNA Research............................................................................................ 20 2.4. Ancient DNA, Ancestry, and Identity ....................................................................... 22 2.5. Integrating Cultural Values into Ancient DNA Research ......................................... 24 2.6. The Politicization of Ancient DNA Research ........................................................... 27 2.7. Chapter Summary .................................................................................................... 30 Chapter 3. Assessing the State of Ancient DNA Research in British Columbia ................................................................................................... 32 3.1. Current Tensions Regarding Archaeological Human Remains in British Columbia .................................................................................................................. 33 3.2. Ancient DNA Case Studies in British Columbia ...................................................... 35 3.2.1. Kwäday Dän Ts'ìnchi or “Long Ago Person Found,” Tatshenshini- Alsek Park .................................................................................................. 36 3.2.2. Dodge and Lucy Islands ............................................................................. 38 3.2.3. China Lake ................................................................................................. 40 3.2.4. Big Bar Lake ............................................................................................... 42 3.3. Discussion ................................................................................................................ 43 vii 3.3.1. Degree of Collaboration with Communities ............................................... 44 3.3.2. Chapter Summary ...................................................................................... 46 Chapter 4. Using a Web Survey to Identify Emerging Challenges in Ancient DNA Research ............................................................................ 48 4.1. Designing the Survey ............................................................................................... 48 4.1.1. Developing the Survey Questions .............................................................. 49 4.1.2. Considering the Survey Themes ................................................................ 51 4.2. Identifying a Survey Sample .................................................................................... 55 4.2.1. Purposive Sampling ................................................................................... 56 Designing a Purposive Sample ............................................................................ 57 4.2.2. Convenience Sampling .............................................................................