Reclaiming Data, Restoring Health: The Indigenous Biomedical Data Science Renaissance

Indigenous Peoples are leading a renaissance in biomedical data science. Throughout this narrative review, we highlight advancements from leaders in this renaissance across four phases of biomedical data science: ethics and values that inform research, data harmonization, model development and assessment, and commercialization. In addition, we synthesize five teachings that advance biomedical data science: Indigenous sovereignty, ethical stewardship, relationality and trust, community prioritization, and Indigenous worldviews. We conclude with considerations for all biomedical data scientists, Indigenous People in biomedical data science, and Indigenous leaders leveraging biomedical data science to advance Indigenous health and well-being. This renaissance offers a road map for global biomedical systems to evolve beyond colonial legacies toward practices that uphold self-determination, restore balance, embody relationality, and promote the well-being of human and nonhuman kin.