Arctic Peoples

Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat in collaboration with Elonmerkki and the Saami Council are proud to announce that the documentary “Last Yoik in Saami Forests?” now is available on DVD and for download. The DVDs will be distributed to interested Universities in the Arctic Region and/or with a special interest in Arctic Indigenous Issues.

To get a copy for use at your University, contact us at ips@arcticpeoples.org, and specify the format (NTSC for North America, PAL for Europe/Russia). For individual requests for a copy of the DVD we ask you to contact the producer at www.elonmerkki.net.

If you just want to see it online, and maybe download a compressed copy of it for your iPod, continue reading…

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By Patricia Cochran and Taito Nakalevu

Three years ago, when a tsunami washed away the lives and livelihoods of people in South-east Asia, the rest of the world acted with commendable compassion. Tents, blankets and food were sent, reconstruction teams poured in, and people around the world sent millions of dollars to help. Now another devastating wave is threatening the lives and livelihoods of people globally - from the fringes of the Arctic to the Caribbean and the scattered islands of the South Pacific. This wave of global warming also brings devastation in its path, but it is moving so slowly that some people fail to recognize its destructive power. Arctic regions and small islands around the world are being hit hardest.
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by Clive Tesar
An influential audience of Arctic diplomats, Indigenous Leaders, and NGOs was treated to a viewing of the new Saami film “Last Yoik in Saami Forests?”. The film was screened at a meeting of the Arctic Council in Narvik, Norway, in Saami traditional territory. It chronicles clashes between Saami reindeer herders, determined to preserve their traditional economy and culture, and the forestry company that threatens them.

The activities of the Finnish state forestry company in the Inari region of Finland have reached the point where centuries-old Saami reindeer herding activities are at the point of collapse. The logging company operating in the region, supported by the Finnish government, has been cutting down old growth forests that provide critical habitat and forage for reindeer. This is despite an ongoing process to settle Saami land rights in the region.
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by Clive Tesar

The United Nations has overwhelmingly passed a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration, more than 20 years in the making, passed by a vote of 143 in favour, four against, and eleven abstaining.

Of the eight Arctic states, the United States and Canada voted against the declaration, while Russia abstained. Denmark and Finland were among a large group of countries that sponsored the Declaration.

The passing of the Declaration was called a “Day of Joy” for Indigenous Peoples by Aqqaluk Lynge, representing Inuit Circumpolar Council – Greenland. Lynge added, “Now it’s time to look at the future and see how we can protect the rights of the Indigenous Peoples and using this Declaration, for the further development of Indigenous Peoples and away from marginalization into being part of the development of the whole world.”

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by Clive Tesar

Patricia Cochran, International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council is now also the Chair of the Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat. She was elected to the post at a Board Meeting of IPS held during Arctic Council meetings in Tromso, Norway.

Ms Cochran says that there are many priority issues facing Arctic peoples as she takes office.

“It’s pretty obvious that climate change is a very big issue, contaminants still remain a big issue, looking at oceans management, biodiversity, there’s so many issues on our plate right now. We have to look at our priorities and at what we can do, and do well.”

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By Colleen Henry

As an intern for the Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat, I was recently asked to investigate, interview and report on an Arctic leader for an International Insititute of Sustainable Development newsletter. After a great deal of reflection I decided that an entity, not an individual, should be highlighted as an Arctic leader. And for good reason.

In the early days Sámi language and culture faced the threat of extinction as the governments of Norway, Sweden and Finland encouraged and promoted assimilation of Sámi into mainstream society. Since then the language and culture have been strengthened by Sámi Radio’s broadcasts. Read the rest of this entry »

By Sean Doherty

Research is a useful and powerful tool in understanding how climate change affects the Arctic, but it can easily miss parts of the story. Consulting with people in northern communities, and including their local environmental knowledge helps make the knowledge produced relevant to Arctic peoples, and increases the fullness and accuracy of the research.

The International Polar Year (IPY) that is officially launched this spring will involve many different projects that promise to focus on including stakeholders and their priorities. With this growing interest in stakeholders (residents, groups and local industries who will be affected by environmental changes in a study locale), it is important that terms such as ‘community involvement’ or ‘stakeholder’ do not become buzz-words thrown into research proposals out of convention, to appear relevant, or as a means to get funding. Stakeholder involvement cannot be taken lightly.
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by Clive Tesar

New Swedish legislation gives back to the Saami more control over their traditional occupation of reindeer herding. The law, which came into effect at the beginning of the year, hands over authority for a variety of reindeer herding activities to the Saami Parliament of Sweden. The new authorities include setting of local borders, and some subsidy and compensation programs affecting reindeer herders.

Mattias Åhrén, head of the Human Rights Section of the Saami Council says,

“This is certainly a step in the right direction, increasing Saami self-determination. Still, the issues handed over are not the most critical ones. Swedish authorities still retain control over the issues most pressing to reindeer husbandry.”

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The Coordinating Council is a Board comprised of 34 regional RAIPON chapters and meets twice a year. The most recent meeting was held on November 25, 2006.

During the meeting, Pavel Sulyandziga, First Vice-President of RAIPON reported on the work of the Permanent Forum. The Board proposed that Mr. Sulyandziga include in the agenda the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation’s meeting issues concerning the Indigenous Peoples’ problems. The Council also discussed the idea of holding the seminar in one of the regions of Russia with participation from the UN Permanent Forum members. The information has been offered on the special seminar on the preparation of the World Report on the State of the Indigenous Peoples which take place in Salekhard on December 1-2, 2006. RAIPON will create an expert group to draft its part of the report. More information will be available in the coming days.
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On November 23-24 RAIPON held a round table discussion on the Ratification of the International Labour Organization Convention (No. 169) concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries in the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. The first day was given to the representatives of governments and Indigenous Peoples of Norway, Denmark and Guatemala to share their experiences in the realization of the convention status and the submission of the reports to the ILO.

The second day was dedicated to the analysis of the Russian legislation with regard to the provisions of the ILO Convention, discussions and final recommendations.

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