Buorre beaivi buohkaide ja bures boahtin Sápmái,
Dear all,
It is a great honour welcome you to Sápmi and to open this important conference here in Tromsø – an Arctic hub where people, knowledge and traditions meet.
I would first like to thank the organizers for bringing us together across borders, disciplines, and cultures to discuss the role of agriculture in a changing world, and for choosing to highlight the Indigenous Peoples perspective in your work with agriculture, food security, and natural resource management.
The themes of the conference – people in the north, climate change, food security, biodiversity, and farmers' voice – affect us all. For us in Sápmi, and for Indigenous peoples across the Arctic, these are not just global challenges, they are issues that directly affect our way of life, our culture, and our future.
Food preparedness and food security have once again become important topics. Climate change, geopolitical unrest and vulnerable supply chains clarify that we must strengthen our ability to produce and manage food locally – on nature's own terms. In the High North, where distances are long and the climate demanding, this is particularly important. Local knowledge, adaptability, and cooperation is crucial here.
We see climate change in changing grazing conditions for the reindeer, in unpredictable weather patterns, in increased pressure on ecosystems. Indigenous Peoples throughout the circumpolar region feel that climate change threatens both our culture and our food security. Climate adaptation must take place in dialogue with Indigenous peoples – with respect for our knowledge and our rights. Food security is not just about access to food – it is about the right to produce food on your own terms.
Indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge plays a key role in this work. Trough generations, we have developed sustainable food systems based on respect for nature's rhythms and resources. This is not just cultural heritage, it is living knowledge that can help shape the future of food security.
For sami communities food is more than nutrition – it’s a basis for employment, value creation, food security, and our lives in the north. Agriculture and Indigenous Peoples knowledge are also important for the continuation of the Sámi language and cultural traditions in Northern Norway. The Sámi Parliament in Norway therefore annually provides input to agricultural negotiations between the Norwegian government and the agricultural organisations, and we have developed our own agricultural policy. Our policy is based on the principle that Sámi agriculture should be adapted to local conditions, strengthen the Sámi language and culture, and contribute to vibrant local communities.
The sami concept of "birgejupmi" means to make a living of what you have, and to take care of the earth, so that we can pass it on in as good as, or better, condition than we got it from our ancestors. Birgejupmi has been recognised by IPBES as one of the solutions to the nature crisis. Birgejupmi also provides security regarding preparedness.
Many farmers today are also reindeer herders, fishers, and hunters – or maybe teachers. Their experiences and challenges must be included in the national and international agricultural debate.
Sámi agriculture and other traditional sámi industries are facing significant challenges because of climate change. A warmer climate in the north can result in a longer growing season, but also more extreme weather and unpredictable conditions that can damage crops. Facing climate change and increasing pressure on natural resources, it is crucial that Indigenous peoples' perspectives and rights are safeguarded. Our traditional knowledge of sustainable use of nature is a resource in the work to preserve biodiversity and ensure food security. For the Sámi Parliament, it is important to maintain a varied farm structure in agriculture, where both large and small farms must have the right to exist. We believe that this provides a strength in facing of future challenges, both in terms of our livelihoods, culture and preparedness.
Agriculture in the High North has enormous potential. The Sámi Parliament wants to strengthen value creation in the primary industries with more processing, food production, and promotion of local food from Sámi areas. Products from Arctic agriculture have great potential both in terms of quality and as a brand.
Our ancestors have lived in these areas for thousands of years and they have provided us the knowledge of how to survive in hars weather conditions. Meat, wild-caught fish and berries have been the foundation of our diet for generations. Each season has their own food sources and their dishes. Sámi families have gathered cloudberries, blueberries, lingonberries, wild sorrel, and angelica, and in times of scarcity, pine bark was ground into flour. These practices demonstrate a deep understanding of natural resources and an ability to adapt to demanding conditions.
In recent years, the Sámi Parliament has participated in the work on Indigenous peoples' food systems in FAO in Rome. This work is important because it is about food culture, food security, health, rights and Indigenous peoples' connection to areas and natural resources. It is also about traditions and ways of life - hunting, fishing, reindeer herding, agriculture and harvesting and meahcásteapmi (Sami outfield use).
Food systems are also about access to natural resources. When access to resources is denied or restricted, it can have serious consequences for food security and cultural survival. In the Sami context, grazing crises, closure of salmon fishing in the Tana River watercourse, new species such as pink salmon and mackerel, lack of understanding of lodden (spring and winter hunting of ducks) and land encroachment can be pointed out. Major encroachment cases and the demolition of nature also affect our food systems. Indigenous people´s food systems are a key priority for the Sámi Parliament, and we have brought up and shed light on the issue both at home and internationally.
In 2025, we have arranged the first ever Sami food conference Máistu, which has highlighted knowledge, traditions, and innovation in Sami food production. The conference brought together producers, shefs, researchers and knowledge carriers from Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Canada to strengthen Sami food production and highlight Indigenous peoples' contributions to food security. The conference was an enormous success and has the potential to become a leading platform for strengthening Sami food systems.
The Sami Parliament is developing a Sámi food trademark. Experience with other Sámi trademarks – Sámi Made and Sámi Duodji – shows that establishing trademarks helps to make Sámi products more known in several markets. The goal of a Sami food trademark is to promote earnings, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Finally, I would like to say: The Indigenous perspective is essential—not optional—for sustainable development in the north. Indigenous peoples across the face similar challenges and often share solutions. We must strengthen the networks between Indigenous peoples, researchers, and decision-makers. The Sámi Parliament wants to be an active part of this cooperation.
Indigenous Peoples must be at the table where decisions are made. We have knowledge that is vital for our future. Together, we can create food systems and resource management that are fair, sustainable, and inclusive.
Best of luck with the conference, and I hope you enjoy Romsa.
Ollu giitu