“We need a kind of leadership. Norway needs leaders that can inspire developments based on sustainability,” Aili Keskitalo said in her remarks to the Arctic Frontiers conference. Photo: Thomas Nilsen

Keskitalo calls for new leadership

“History tells us its not enough to trust that those taking decisions will take the right decisions,” President of the Sami Parliament Aili Keskitalo says.
January 26, 2016

ADVERTISEMENT

Aili Keskitalo got the floor for introductory remarks before the ministers at the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø. Branded thematically with Industry and Environment – the Arctic Frontiers gathering lights focus on human activitites environmental footprints and technological needs.

“Welcome to Sapmi, Sameland [the land of the Sami], said Aili Keskitalo and soon attracted attention to the fact that the traditional areas for the Sami people are shrinking.

Mining, infrastructure-developments, climate changes are all negatively impacting reindeer herding.

“We need a kind of leadership. Norway needs leaders that can inspire developments based on sustainability,” Keskitalo said and got the full attention from the audience, well aware the big industry is knocking on the doors to for expanding mining and exploration of the resource rich Barents Region consisting of the northernmost parts of Norway, Sweden, Russia and Finland.

The Sami people have lived on those lands for centuries, along the coasts and in the inland as reindeer herders, farmers, hunters and fishermen.

“We the indigenous peoples must participate when decisions impacting our regions are taken. We need to have a key role,” Keskitalo said.

She continued: “Indigenous peoples must be considered as part of the solution, not as part of the problem when natural resources are to be developed.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Aili Keskitalo is not afraid of direct speaking. In her New Year’s speech, the Sami Parliament President criticized the Norwegian Government for recently giving permission to dump mining tailings into the Repparfjord in Finnmark.

“Our grandchildren will not understand that we with great passion sorted our garbage from households, but chose to dump poisoning waste into the fjords where we catch our food.”

All ministers entering the pulpit in the auditorium at Tromsø University on Monday copied Keskitalo’s introductory remarks in front of the participants from some 30 countries interested in Arctic issues. Both Foreign Minister Børge Brende of Norway and Finland’s Foreign Minister Timo Soini underlined the need for environmental protection as economic developments move further and further north.

“Sustainable development” was by far the most mentioned phrase at the Arctic Frontiers conference. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Sections
Arctic

The Barents Observer Newsletter

After confirming you're a real person, you can write your email below and we include you to the subscription list.

Privacy policy