Adaptation Actions for a Changing Arctic: Perspectives from the Barents Area

167

7 . Indigenous peoples’ perspectives

Coordinating lead authors : Anna Degteva, Anders Oskal, Svein D. Mathiesen, Philip Burgess Lead authors: Iulie Aslaksen, Kathrine I. Johnsen, Anne-Maria Magga, Wilbert van Rooij

Contributing authors: Camilla Brattland, Robert Corell, Andrey Dubovtsev, Per Arild Garnåsjordet, Aslak Holmberg, Konstantin Klokov, Nancy G. Maynard, Christian Nellemann, Beaska Niillas, Per Jonas Partapuoli, Mikhail Pogodaev, Erik Reinert, Per Sandström, Igor Slepushkin, Inger A. Smuk, Jannie Steffanson, Zinaida Strogalschikova, Alexey Tyskarev, Levi Westerveld

7.1 Introduction The Barents area is an economically,socially and culturally diverse region. It is home to a number of indigenous peoples: Sámi (Norway,Sweden,Finland,northwesternRussia),Nenets (Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Nenets AO; Yamal Nenets Autonomous Okrug,Yamal NenetsAO) andVepsians (Karelia).There are also several ethnicminorities in the region,such as Karelians (Russian Karelia) and Komi (Nenets AO and Komi Republic) who share many of the same challenges and experiences as the regions’ indigenous peoples. The chapter also includes data and voices from the neighboring Yamal Nenets AO.While not technically part of the Barents study area, there is a cultural continuity and practice across the regional borders and intense oil and gas development is already underway and with more planned, all of whichwill have significant effects on indigenous peoples across • • To better serve the challenges faced by indigenous peoples, impact assessments must include more holistic and long-term thinking, and must ensure the inclusion of traditional knowledge . The complexity of multiple drivers and the far-reaching consequences of unrelated developments demand that impact assessments evolve to become more holistic and longer term social-ecological resilience assessments, where complex interdependent systems of people and nature persist, adapt and transform in the face of Arctic change. Key messages • • Multiple drivers of environmental and social change can be identified across the Barents area and more change is expected. Infrastructure development is currently the most significant driver of change in land use. Climate change is an increasing threat to traditional livelihoods. Impacts on indigenous peoples are exacerbated by their lack of voice in the development of adaptation tools and strategies for future planning and development. • • GLOBIO3 and participatory mapping could provide essential overviews of information on the cumulative impacts and future consequences of climate and socio- economic drivers. They have the potential to become powerful and collaborative tools to assist both rights holders and local and regional decision-makers. Such tools improve our understanding of complex spatial issues and facilitate the development of advanced adaptation and mitigation strategies for local situations.

the broader Barents area as multiple drivers of land use change and interact with each other.This chapter addresses key questions and trends on the economy,climate change and governance,and their associated impacts on the livelihoods,knowledge base,living conditions and wellbeing of the region’s indigenous peoples. These trends will continue to pose questions for the resilience and adaptive capacity of the region’s indigenous peoples. The aim of this chapter is to give voice to the multiple concerns of indigenous peoples and to provide information and guidance toward developing adaptation tools and strategies for future planning and development in the Barents area in accordance with the AACA (Adaptation Actions for a Changing Arctic) mandate given by the Arctic Council, to “ produce information to assist local decision-makers and stakeholders…in developing adaptation tools and strategies to better deal with climate change and other pertinent environmental stressors ”. • • All available sources of knowledge must be included in developing adaptation strategies. Those practicing traditional livelihoods possess a rich,varied and valuable body of knowledge within the Barents area. Women’s knowledge is a key and underutilized asset. Developing meaningful coproductionof knowledge between traditional knowledge and western science is essential for creating successful adaptation strategies in the future. There is a need to further develop indigenous trans-boundary institutions to this effect. • • Natural resources and critical landscapes need protection . Tipping points for the continuation of traditional livelihoods exist and in some areas may be passed in the next two decades. The protection and sustainable management of critical natural resources for the practice of traditional livelihoods must be rigorously examined. • • Indigenous languages are central to the identity and practices of indigenous peoples in the Barents area. Strong commitment is needed for their survival, at all levels of government. Language loss is directly correlated to a loss of practical skills and coping, and ultimately, to biodiversity. • • There is a need for new types of education and education delivery. New education models need multidisciplinary, multicultural, holistic approaches for gender sensitive sustainable development that includes traditional knowledge. Successful adaptation to climate change requires the training of local Arctic leaders in long-term sustainable thinking, within indigenous communities and mainstream society.