The event is organised jointly by the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry, Sámi University College/Nordic Sami Institute, the Association of World Reindeers Herders, the Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Kaukeino Municipality. It will mark the beginning of the International Polar Year 2007-2009 (IPY), which will include a human dimension with focus on changes in the indigenous peoples' society in the Arctic.
Representatives of indigenous peoples from all Arctic regions, climate researchers, managers, reindeer herders, Sámi youth and politicians, including Norwegian Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion Bjarne Haakon Hansen, President of Norwegian Council of Research Arvid Hallen, IPY IPO Director David Carlson and President of the Sami Parliament in Norway Aili Keskitalo, have confirmed their presence at the official opening ceremony. National and international media have also been invited.
IPY is an international research contribution aimed at increasing collective knowledge about the Arctic and the Antarctic. The Indigenous Peoples Polar Year's aim is to create broad cooperation focusing on indigenous societies in the North and, by the same token, prepare indigenous youth for the future. This will be done through projects rooted in scientific institutions in Kautokeino and elsewhere.
For more information about the opening ceremony or the program of activities around it, please contact Berit Ellen Bongo at Beritellenbongo@gmail.com or Elna Sara at elna.sara@gmail.com or read the official event flyer.
See also:
The Indigenous Peoples Polar Year website for the full program of activities