Indigenous peoples – although quite small in numbers relative to the population as a whole - are often faced with particular challenges with regard to global change, with threats to their social and cultural living, and the double exposure of living in already marginalized societies. Their adaptive capabilities are often compromised, and communities may be weakened by recurring stress from climate change and other factors.
The cultural clash resulting from the encroachment of the larger societies on to the small indigenous societies has caused great social upheavals and instability in the past. Adaptation to a whole new way of life has been forced onto many communities and this has been difficult to tackle. However, nowadays many indigenous peoples are reclaiming control over their lives and have become an important factor in the management of their traditional territories. At the same time they have to face the challenges of climate change which will necessitate a possibly painful change from traditional activities to new, for example from hunting on snow and ice to commercial fishing. Tourism is another factor which impacts on communities today, as is the effect of global pollution.
The session welcomes papers that address the challenges facing Arctic indigenous peoples in the past, present and future and which enlighten both the positive and negative opportunities and impacts.
Indigenous Cultures - Past to Future