Theme: Indigenous Peoples

New cooperation agreement strengthens cooperation in education, research and development of the Sámi region

9.5.2025 9:00

The University of Lapland, the Sámi Education Institute and Sámi museum Siida have signed a new cooperation agreement that aims to deepen their long-lasting partnership, as well as strengthen the education, research and development of the Sámi region.

Indigenous Tourism Conference EITC 2025 in Inari 20−22/05/2025 – ethically sustainable Indigenous tourism as topic

29.4.2025 8:30

The World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA), Sámi Parliament in Finland and University of Lapland will hold the European Indigenous Tourism Conference EITC 2025 in May. This is the first time when the conference is being organised in Europe. Participation is possible on-site and online.

Lohkanlihkku Learning Game Supports Sámi-Speaking Children’s Literacy Skills

8.4.2025 9:00

In the Nordic Interreg Aurora project led by the University of Lapland, a digital Lohkanlihkku learning game is being developed to support Sámi language learning for children.

Sustainable Naturecultures and Multispecies futures symposium in September in Rovaniemi – Call for abstracts

25.3.2025 10:30

Welcome to the first Sustainable Naturecultures and Multispecies futures (SuMu) symposium on-location in Rovaniemi at the University of Lapland (Finland) September 23–25, 2025.

A New Book on the Dynamics of Sámi Education

27.2.2025 9:27

Girjjohallat girjáivuođa – Embracing Diversity, Sami Education Theory, Practice and Research provides an overview of Nordic research on Sámi pedagogy, Sámi language education and Sámi language teaching. It also presents the situation of the Maori in New Zealand and highlights directions for the development of Indigenous education and research.

Sámi National Day Week is celebrated at the University of Lapland with Sámi short films

31.1.2025 10:41

In celebration of Sámi National Day Week, new Sámi short films will be screened at the University of Lapland on Thursday 6 February at 2 pm in the Esko and Asko Hall. The event is open to everyone and free of charge - welcome bures boahtin!

Karolina Sikora by the riverbank of Ounasjoki on a bright autumn day.

Dissertation: The realities of law in the Russian North – Examining the human right to cultural heritage among the Izhma Komi people

10.12.2024 8:27

In her doctoral dissertation Karolina Sikora examines how the Indigenous Izhma Komi people perceive and engage with diverse forms of cultural heritage, such as folklore, and reindeer herding, that are governed by formal and informal normative systems. Sikora explores states laws, alongside customary norms, tacit agreements, and ad hoc practical solutions that have developed among the Izhma Komi population, particularly in the Komi Republic. The research draws on anthropological field methods, including semi-structured interviews and participant observations.

Research: Study Highlights the Need for Culturally Responsive Teacher Education in Finland

3.12.2024 11:45

Finnish teacher education should be more inclusive so that future teachers have sufficient skills to understand and respect cultural diversity.

Digital Indigenous Cultural Heritage, edited by Inker-Anni Linkola-Aikio, Pigga Keskitalo, Rosa Maria Ballardini and Melanie Sarantou.

A new publication on the ethical and sustainable digitization of the indigenous cultural heritage

26.11.2024 13:15

A new publication by a multidisciplinary research group of the University of Lapland presents ethical and responsible practices to digitize indigenous cultural heritage.

NordForsk funds research on the democratic participation of the Sámi people in the energy transition

18.6.2024 8:56

The research project led by Professor Rauna Kuokkanen has received significant funding from NordForsk. The project examines the Sámi's democratic participation in the energy transition.

Ethical Guidelines for Research Involving the Sámi People in Finland Released

30.5.2024 8:11

The Ethical Guidelines for Research Involving the Sámi People in Finland are informed by the ethical principles of research with Indigenous peoples. The purpose of the guidelines is to promote culturally safe environments and ways of working in the context of conducting research. The guidelines are available online in Finnish, North Sámi, Inari Sámi, Skolt Sámi, and English.

Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP) is the new international partner of the University of Lapland – the collaboration started from the INCLUSION research project

22.2.2024 15:45

The University of Lapland and the Peruvian Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP) have signed an Erasmus+ ICM mobility agreement. The agreement originated from the collaboration between the University of Lapland and PUCP in the INCLUSION research project. At the end of January, the INCLUSION project organized in Peru an intensive course, which was also attended by researchers and students from the University of Lapland.

Kuivahauki_Jan-Eerik Paadar_Saamelaiskäräjät_web.jpg

Draft proposal for Sámi tourism businesses certification criteria is ready

27.9.2023 11:00

The Multidimensional Tourism Institute of University of Lapland has formulated a draft proposal for certification criteria, which helps to identify holistically sustainable and responsible Sámi tourism businesses operating in Finland. The project has been funded by the Lapland ELY Centre and conducted in cooperation with the Sámi Parliament in Finland.

Nordplus Funding for the Development of Sámi Language Studies

14.6.2023 14:30

The University of Lapland, Umeå University, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and the University of Helsinki have been awarded €75,000 funding from the Nordic Council of Ministers to develop Sámi language studies during the years 2023–2025.

A person holding a phone where the frontpage of the Nuohtti service is open. Photo: Matilda Kalving.

The Nuohtti service provides digital access to Sámi material in European archives

16.3.2023 15:32

The Nuohtti digital service provides access to a wide range of archive material on Sámi cultural heritage. Nuohtti contains 30,000 documents and photos from the Sámi area gathered from 32 European archives, libraries, and museums. The service responds especially to the need and right of the Sámi to get information about themselves and their people. Launched in February, the service has been developed by a multidisciplinary Nordic project led by the Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Lapland.

University of Lapland is doing background research for certificate criteria for Saami tourism businesses

15.12.2022 9:45

The Multidimensional Tourism Institute has started a project, in which thorough background research will be completed before making certification criteria to help recognize holistically sustainable Saami tourism businesses in Finland. The project is funded by Lapland ELY Centre and executed in co-operation with the Saami Parliament of Finland.

New Book in Sámi Studies Illuminates the Diversity of Sámi Worlds

26.8.2022 9:09

A major contribution to Sámi Studies, The Sámi World presents a diversity of research topics from across Sápmi, providing rich and multifaceted understandings of Sámi worlds. The book has been edited by Sanna Valkonen, Professor of Sámi Research, and researchers Áile Aikio, Saara Alakorva and Sigga-Marja Magga from the University of Lapland. Written in English, the book is arranged around Áilu Valle’s rap lyrics.

Dissertation: The journey of floral bead styles from 1500s France to 1800s Yukon First Nations

20.4.2022 11:45

Dr. Ukjese van Kampen traces in his doctoral dissertation the origins of the floral bead styles that his people from the south-central Yukon adopted in the mid-1800s. The Yukon First Nations people had an established floral embroidery tradition already before Europeans entered the area in the end of the 19th century. However, the floral designs were not indigenous but adopted through a centuries-long process. The dissertation gives new insights into the spread of floral designs originating in 1500s France and migrating westwards across Canada to the Yukon.

Doctoral dissertation: Knowledge Integration in Co-management: A Study on the People of the Mount Cameroon National Park

22.2.2022 8:30

Ayonghe Akonwi Nebasifu, M.A., studies in his dissertation the unequal power relations between officials and local people in the co-management of the Mount Cameroon National Park and its adjacent communities. Ayonghe’s work contributes to co-management theory by revealing simultaneous compliance with and opposition to various relations of power in which people use official and unofficial strategies to attain their goals within a system of resource management.

Pigga Keskitalo and Tuija Hautala-Hirvioja Invited to a New Arctic Humanities Series’ Editorial Board

20.12.2021 10:00

Professor Tuija Hautala-Hirvioja and University Researcher Pigga Keskitalo from the University of Lapland have been invited to the Editorial Board of “Arctic Humanities” published by Brill.