TY - CHAP

T1 - Arctic Indigenous Peoples and International Diplomacy: Celebrating 50 Years of Diplomatic Leadership on the International Stage

AU - Olsvig, Sara

AU - Cullen, Miriam

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - International diplomacy has not only been transformative for Indigenous Peoples, it has also been transformed by Indigenous Peoples. Last year marked the 50th commemoration of the first Arctic Peoples’ Conference, which was an apt moment to reflect on the contributions of Arctic Indigenous Peoples to international diplomacy and the legacy of that moment for generations past, present, and future. The 1973 Conference took place at the height of various resistance movements. As national governments decried apartheid and racial oppression in other parts of the world, the hypocrisy of ignoring Indigenous Peoples’ claims within their own borders was starkly on display. The 1960s and 70s saw many Indigenous Peoples reject the assimilationist policies of their respective colonial governments and challenge the rapidly expanding development projects that were encroaching upon their lands, Peoples, and way of life. In Greenland, Sumé became the first rock band to clearly address inequities in power structures and the need for revolution amidst a resurgent energy for anti-colonial resistance; across Sápmi political revolutionary events were taking place; and, in North America, assimilation-focused boarding school systems were being dismantled. It was in this spirit that Arctic Indigenous Peoples recognized the benefits to be gained from international diplomacy and sought greater regional coordination to that end.

AB - International diplomacy has not only been transformative for Indigenous Peoples, it has also been transformed by Indigenous Peoples. Last year marked the 50th commemoration of the first Arctic Peoples’ Conference, which was an apt moment to reflect on the contributions of Arctic Indigenous Peoples to international diplomacy and the legacy of that moment for generations past, present, and future. The 1973 Conference took place at the height of various resistance movements. As national governments decried apartheid and racial oppression in other parts of the world, the hypocrisy of ignoring Indigenous Peoples’ claims within their own borders was starkly on display. The 1960s and 70s saw many Indigenous Peoples reject the assimilationist policies of their respective colonial governments and challenge the rapidly expanding development projects that were encroaching upon their lands, Peoples, and way of life. In Greenland, Sumé became the first rock band to clearly address inequities in power structures and the need for revolution amidst a resurgent energy for anti-colonial resistance; across Sápmi political revolutionary events were taking place; and, in North America, assimilation-focused boarding school systems were being dismantled. It was in this spirit that Arctic Indigenous Peoples recognized the benefits to be gained from international diplomacy and sought greater regional coordination to that end.

M3 - Book chapter

BT - Empowering Arctic Indigenous Peoples

PB - IWGIA. International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs

ER -