The UArctic EALÁT Institute focuses on knowledge production related to reindeer herders’ traditional knowledge, land use change and their food cultures, through increased information, documentation, research, monitoring and education as an adaption strategy to the rapid changes occurring in the Arctic.
Close to 100 000 herders and 24 different indigenous peoples live off reindeer herding worldwide, and reindeer are significantly important for the economy and sustainability of these Arctic indigenous communities. With reindeer herding we mean the economic foundation for reindeer herders societies. The institute is one of three institutes of University of the Arctic reporting directly to the board of UArctic.
Goals
The Institute aims at a continued contribution to a holistic strengthening of knowledge development, research, education, monitoring, information and outreach for circumpolar reindeer husbandry. The Institute has a circumpolar focus, and work for the benefit of circumpolar reindeer herders.
The Institute serves as a tool for recruiting indigenous youth to scientific work, while contributing to build local competence in reindeer herders’ societies, through mobilizing different partners. In doing so, the institute seeks to develop and implement:
research on themes important for reindeer husbandry
recruitment of indigenous students, their training and education
community-based workshops, seminars and conferences in circumpolar reindeer herding area, and
outreach of the total activities of the Institute, including research results.
Activities
The activities of the institute are to
Increase the public understanding for Arctic issues and challenges for indigenous peoples and reindeer husbandry, including monitoring.
Increase the educational and research capacity of Arctic peoples, especially indigenous and reindeer herding peoples.
Replicating to other regions affected by climate change and globalization the indigenous peoples’ gained knowledge and ability to deal with such changes.
The Institute shall have a circumpolar focus, and work for the benefit of Arctic residents, especially focusing on indigenous and reindeer herding peoples.
Target groups are: Indigenous circumpolar reindeer herding peoples and youth, academic institutions, education and research institutions in the North.
Ongoing projects connected to University of the Arctic Institute for Circumpolar Reindeer Husbandry - see here - in addition to more news and updates as well as all the activities.
