Organisation

Inuit Circumpolar Council

Description

The 1973 Arctic Peoples’ Conference was the first event to bring together Indigenous peoples from across the Arctic and articulated a clear vision to States to recognize the rights of our peoples. This July, the 2023 Arctic Peoples’ Conference convened in Ilulissat, Greenland, for the 50-year commemoration to honor this first gathering and take stock of our progress, priorities, and concerns as we continue to look towards the future. At the conclusion of the 2023 Arctic Peoples’ Conference, the five Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ organizations in attendance issued a statement that concluded with the words: “Our youth are a massive force for hope in the Arctic, and now is the time for States, governmental authorities, corporations, research institutions, and civil society to weigh heavily the messages, priorities, and perspectives of our youth and to empower them to leadership and success. Not least of all, we stand in unity for a future in which we will continue to thrive.” This session will include a presentation of the history, developments, and achievements of our peoples since the first conference, as well as a presentation of the formal statement signed at the 2023 Arctic Peoples’ Conference.

Speakers

Lisa Koperqualuk, Vice-Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council (moderator)

Gunn-Britt Retter, Head of Environmental Unit, Saami Council (TBD), Knowledge Holder, Saami Council (TBC), Miyuki Daorana (youth delegate), Alexina Kublu (Knowledge Holder), Jackie Qataliña Schaeffer (Knowledge Holder)

Languages

EN - SP