Book Launch: Empowering Arctic Indigenous Peoples – Celebrating 50 Years of Indigenous Diplomacy

August 8, 2024— In a new book, ICC, Saami Council and IWGIA celebrate fifty years of Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ diplomacy and tell the political history of Arctic Indigenous Peoples, seen from their perspectives. The book contributes important insights into the achievements and influence of Arctic Indigenous Peoples. Since the first Arctic Peoples’ Conference was held in 1973, Arctic Indigenous Peoples have been transformative in Arctic governance, and they continue to play a decisive role in maintaining, safeguarding, and strengthening Arctic cooperation. The book will be launched at an online event on August 9^th, 2024, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

“It is of great importance that Indigenous Peoples’ tell their own political history. With this book, our aim is to ensure insights into the contributions and influence of Arctic Indigenous Peoples. Much too rarely we celebrate the many groundbreaking achievements Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ leaders have spearheaded through the past many decades. With this book we want to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Arctic diplomacy and governance”, says ICC Chair Sara Olsvig.

“This book is a testament to the enduring spirit of unity and resilience among Arctic Indigenous Peoples. Our journey over the past fifty years has been marked by significant milestones achieved through collaboration and mutual support. As we look to the future, this shared history of cooperation strengthens our resolve to continue safeguarding our heritage and advocating for our rights. Together, we have transformed Arctic governance, and together, we will continue to shape our destiny,” says Áslat Holmberg, President of the Saami Council.

”The Arctic region is an example for the success of continued insistence by Indigenous Peoples on exercising their right to self-determination and on implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This book provides insight into the history and current realities of Indigenous diplomacy and self-governance and is an inspiring documentation of the joint efforts and collaboration of Indigenous Peoples and their leaders in the Arctic”, says, Kathrin Wessendorf, IWGIA Executive Director.  

Looking towards

In July 2023, ICC and Saami Council hosted the 2023 Arctic Peoples’ Conference in Ilulissat, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland). Here, Indigenous Peoples from across the Arctic celebrated 50 years of cooperation and explored what had been achieved since the first Arctic Peoples’ Conference held in Copenhagen in 1973. They also asked if the dreams set out by Arctic Indigenous Peoples 50 years ago had been fulfilled. The book “Empowering Arctic Indigenous Peoples – Celebrating 50 Years of Indigenous Diplomacy” contains statements, testimonies, and memories reflecting on these last 50 years of Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ diplomacy and looking towards the continued cooperation of Arctic Indigenous Peoples.

The book is published, with support from Pawanka Fund, by Inuit Circumpolar Council, Saami Council, and IWGIA and edited by Jens Dahl, Áslat Holmberg, Sara Olsvig and Kathrin Wessendorf. 

The book will be launched online at 20:00 CEST August 9^th, 2024, the International Day of the World´s Indigenous Peoples. At the online event, contributors to the book will present their articles and thoughts. The book launch is open to all, and the link can be found on ICC Greenland´s Facebook page. 

Contributors to the book are Dr.  Dalee Sambo Dorough, Gunn-Britt Retter, Nika Silverfox-Young, Keryn Andersen. Michael Bro, Mary Angamarlik, Ellen-Sara Sparrok, Miriam Cullen, Ole Henrik Magga, Álet-Ristina Máret, Máret Sárá, Sam Alexander, Aqqaluk Lynge, Bridget Laroque, Alona Yefimenko and Per Mikael Utsi.

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