Online workshop 2: Recognizing Local and Indigenous Knowledge

Description: This workshop was led by the University of Lapland and focused on Recognizing Local and Indigenous Knowledge.
The discussions covered regionally adaptable models and activities related to nature, biodiversity, and sustainable development, as well as social and cultural knowledge-sharing models. This session explored the value of co-creation with local knowledge holders in the Nordic and Arctic regions, with a special emphasis on intergenerational knowledge, the Arctic ecosystem, and Sámi perspectives. We highlighted how collaboration fosters understanding and promotes sustainable practices.

Speakers

• Niila-Juhán Valkeapää is the Vice-Chair of the Sámi Parliament's Youth Council and an active advocate for Sámi rights. The Youth Council operates under the Sámi Parliament and works to promote the position of Sámi youth in Finland. Valkeapää has been actively involved in issues concerning Indigenous rights and the green transition, bringing a youth perspective to these pressing topics. More about the Sámi Youth Council here.
• Rauni Äärelä-Vihriälä is a Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Lapland. She is working in the Reconceptualizing Boundaries Together Towards Resilient and Just Arctic Future(s) (REBOUND) project, funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC) under the Research Council of Finland and as a project manager in the CAP-SHARE Interreg NPA project. Read about REBOUND here and more about Rauni's research here.
  
• Theresa Henke has recently finished her PhD at the University of Iceland. In her PhD she looked at the establishment of alien European flounder (Platichthys flesus) in Icelandic waters with a focus on human dimensions and stakeholder involvement. In September 2024, she started a postdoctoral research position at the EEZA-CSIC in Almeria, Spain, where she will continue her research on human dimensions of biological invasions. Read more about Theresa's PhD thesis here.

Workshop Agenda 

• 10:00–10:05 Opening and presenters introductions  - Rauni
• 10:05-10:12 Introduction topic: Recognizing local and indigenous knowledge, Rauni Äärelä-Vihriälä
• 10:13-10:15 Introduction to the questions for discussion, Rauni 
• 10:15-10:30 Case study 1: Perspectives of Sámi Youth on the Green Transition and Its Impact on Nature and Livelihoods, Niila-Juhán Valkeapää
• 10:30-10:45 Case study 2: Intergenerational aspects in just green transition in Northern Finland, Rauni Äärelä-Vihriälä
  
• 10:45-11:00 Case study 3: Involving the recreational angling community in the research on alien European flounder in Iceland,  Theresa Henke
  
• 11:00-11:15 Break - Reminder of questions 
  
• 11:15-12:10 Breakout Room Discussions
  
• 12:10-12:30 Closing - Each group prepares to present their tasks
  
• 12:20-12:25 Rauni leads to the survey 
• 12:25-12:30 Session closing - Rauni

Discussion questions
Two questions based on the needs for recognizing local and indigenous knowledge:

1. How could discussions about biodiversity be implemented at the local level? 
2.  How should intergenerational aspects be taken into account in biodiversity discussions?