How does the Genographic Project define indigenous and traditional peoples?
The core scientific objectives of the Genographic Project will be advanced by engaging the participation of individuals and groups within key populations. From the standpoint of the Genographic Project, “key populations” are stable populations that have lived within their respective geographic regions and maintained their present culture for many generations. This stability makes the genetic signatures carried by each member anthropologically informative and will help to provide reliable indicators of ancient migratory patterns. The range of people belonging to key populations includes those who normally describe themselves as “indigenous” peoples and those who do not. For example, we would include among key populations communities that other groups or individuals may or may not consider to be “indigenous” (when other definitions are applied). We often refer to these groups as “traditional peoples.” Examples of groups the Genographic Project would consider to be “traditional” include B