European colonists changed the natural, social and cultural environments of indigenous populations in North America. This project focuses on the effects of European colonization on Native North Americans through an approach that incorporates genomic analysis, computational-statistic methods, and integration with existing databases. The genomic and statistical analysis will be combined with historical and genealogical information to provide a substantive view of Native American evolutionary history and the colonization process. Inclusion of multiple communities from within individual geographic regions across North America will provide a basis for examining shared and distinctive aspects of the history of European colonization within each of these regions. The study examines the amount of non-Native ancestry in each group and the properties of events that contributed the non-Native ancestry to Native American communities. In addition, the study examines admixture-driven selection, that is, regions of the genome in which genomic signatures characteristic of non-Native American ancestry have an elevated frequency in Native Americans. This project serves as a model for understanding the genomic effects of European colonization in other parts of the world.
This project works to create mutually beneficial and trusting relationships between Native American communities and scientific researchers. Central to this effort is a summer workshop for Native American students to discuss genomic research. In addition, two molecular anthropology students and one postdoctoral fellow will be trained in the latest genomic analyses. This project expands collaborations of researchers with an interest in studying important recent historical events in Native American history.
This project examined genetic variation in Native American and First Nation populations in the Pacific Northwest, with an emphasis on understanding the history and patterns of genetic admixture in these populations. The project also studied the mathematical theory and statistical analysis of data on genetic admixture more generally. Intellectual merit. In a collaboration with tribal groups, the project produced a major study of admixture in Native American and First Nation populations in the Pacific Northwest. This study documented genetic signatures of admixture with populations of European origin, and in some cases, populations of East Asian origin. It found that genetic diversity within individual Pacific Northwest Native American and First Nation populations was greater than in typical admixed Native populations from Latin America. Coastal and inland populations had distinct admixture patterns, as East Asian admixture was detected primarily inland rather than along the coast. In addition to these results on admixture patterns and history, the project produced four mathematical and statistical studies of admixture, considering the theory and statistics of such topics as genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, and construction of population trees. These studies can guide future data analyses and interpretations in admixed populations. Broader impacts. Studies of admixture and admixed populations are valuable in anthropology, evolutionary biology, and the genetics of disease. The project provides tools for future studies of admixture, assisting in these efforts. The project has promoted graduate and undergraduate training through its efforts to support the Summer Internship for Native Americans in Genomics at the University of Illinois, a program that provides training to Native American students in the field of genomics. Two trainees on the project have completed their training and advanced to independent academic positions.
