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Indigenous Rightsholders have unique perspectives and priorities, particularly in the context of agri-genomics. Through knowledge exchange and experiential learning guided by Stó:l? Elders and Knowledge Holders, we interpreted free, prior and informed consent, data sovereignty and cultural safety and humility in the context of critical, cross-cultural dialogues about agri-genomics.

We developed a toolkit to support the enactment of these principles in ways that recognize Stó:l? legal traditions and cultural protocols and support language revitalization. The toolkit presents key engagement entry points for dialogues about science, technology, and Innovation, with reference to the UNDRIP, the TRC Calls to Action, Stó:l? legal traditions, and the Halq’eméylem language and cultural protocols.

Key lessons:

• Aligning science, innovation, and technology with Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination begins with respectful cross-cultural collaboration.

• Educating stakeholders, building reciprocal relationships with Rightsholders, and respecting Indigenous protocols and data sovereignty all contribute to safe and ethical research spaces.

Non-Indigenous stakeholders should:

• Recognize the unique ways transitioning agri-genomics into food systems impact Indigenous rightsholders’ relationships with lands, waters and cultural keystone species.

• Ensure the implications for Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) are understood with respect to Indigenous Peoples relationships with lands, waters and non-human relations.

• Absorb time and cost burdens of respectful engagement with Indigenous rightsholders. This should include co-creating inclusive, safe, collaborative spaces for critical dialogues incorporating legal traditions, cultural protocols and language revitalization.