The conference “Protecting the sacred: Recognition of Sacred Sites of Indigenous Peoples for Sustaining Nature and Culture in Northern and Arctic Regions” will be held in Rovaniemi and Pyhätunturi, Finland September 11. – 13. 2013.

This conference gathers together for the first time in Finland sacred sites custodians, scientists, indigenous people’s organizations, policy makers and others interested people, to talk and better recognize, conserve and manage Sacred Natural Sites of Indigenous Peoples in Northern and Arctic regions.

Sacred Natural Sites (SNS) are being increasingly recognized as an important means for the conservation of biological and cultural diversity, and the transmission of the indigenous culture and identity. Yet, legal protection of SNS and related policies are still often insufficient or absent. It becomes increasingly difficult for custodians in the North to protect these ancient sites, due to economic developments (tourism, mining, forestry) and infrastructural development (roads, dams, etc.). At the same time the need for protection may be challenged by some protection measures (identifying of location, mapping) and may raise the question of keeping intimacy and sensitivity of these places.

The conference is co-organized by the Arctic Centre (University of Lapland) together with the University of Montreal and the Arctic Law Thematic Network (University of the Arctic).

PROTECTING THE SACRED: Recognition of Sacred Sites of Indigenous Peoples for Sustaining Nature and Culture in Northern and Arctic Regions

Place: Rovaniemi and Pyhä, Finland,
Date: 11-13 September 2013
Abstract deadline: 28 February 2013
Abstracts and contact: leena.heinamaki@ulapland.fi and thora.martina.herrmann@umontreal.ca

Conference website www.arcticcentre.org/sacredsites2013

For more information:
Researcher Leena Heinämäki, Arctic Centre
Tel: +358 40 484 4280
leena.heinamaki@ulapland.fi
Researcher Thora Herrmann, University of Montreal
thora.martina.herrmann@umontreal.ca