Recognizing and Safeguarding Sacred Sites of Indigenous Peoples in Northern and Arctic Regions

In September 2013, a group of nearly 80 participants from seven different Indigenous Peoples developed the “Conference Statement and Recommendations on: Recognition and Safeguarding of the Sacred Sites of Indigenous Peoples in Northern and Arctic Regions” . The resulting statement is available in English, Russian, French and Spanish.

The conference statement is one of the many outcomes of the conference that can be used strategically to increase recognition of sacred sites in policy, management and development. The Statement calls for improved recognition, legal protection and management of the sacred sites and sanctuaries of indigenous peoples in the Arctic region. The people involved were sacred site guardians of indigenous communities, indigenous peoples’ organizations, scientists, policy makers and members of civil society organisations. They gathered together in the capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi, as well as in Pyhätunturi, a sacred mountain of the ancient Forest Saami people.