Indigenous People’s IPY celebrated in Kautokeino / Guovdageaidnu

In attendance were representatives of indigenous peoples from all Arctic regions, climate researchers, managers, reindeer herders, Sámi youth and politicians and other high-ranking officials from Norway and Russia. The audience was treated to a programme of Sámi cultural events in a traditional Sámi setting in the largest reindeer-herding region of Scandinavia.

The event was jointly organised by the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry, Sámi University College/Nordic Sámi Institute, the Association of World Reindeer Herders, the Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the local municipality. 

This event marked the beginning of indigenous people's involvement in the International Polar Year, which this year will include a human dimension focusing on changes in the indigenous people's society in the Arctic. Projects based at scientific institutions in Kautokeino and elsewhere will attempt to broaden cooperation on issues related to indigenous societies in the North, and simultaneously involve indigenous youth in the process.