Rapid change - challenges or opportunities for sustainable reindeer husbandry (Rievdan)

Sustainability of Sa´mi reindeer husbandry faces major challenges related to rapid changes in the reindeer pasture areas such as climate change and loss of grazing land. These kinds of challenges have recently been lifted in COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Rievdan research project has investigated opportunities for Sámi reindeer herders to adapt to these challenges using their own reindeer herding knowledge. The research project was based on and according to goals and strategies set by Sámi University of Applied Sciences and goals by international Centre for Reindeer husbandry. The goal of the research project was to provide a knowledge base for a new master's program in reindeer husbandry, to explain the tensions between two knowledge systems with different approaches to reindeer husbandry: Traditional knowledge and Research-based knowledge, to contribute to new knowledge and understanding to increase the sustainability of reindeer husbandry, and to find forms of cooperation between the various knowledge systems. The Rievdan project is about the reconciliation of the traditional knowledge of reindeer husbandry and the Western knowledge in a changing world. This project, through the multidisciplinary approaches, resulted in a number of peer reviewed scientific articles, books on traditional knowledge, and international reports. Two peer reviewed books in Springer Nature Polar Series are published/in production along with one thematic issue of the Diedut on the Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ food systems. By this, the project has provided a knowledge base for a new Master's degree Program in Reindeer Husbandry Studies. The results of the project show opportunities and capabilities embedded in traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge with focus on adaptation to change and reconciliation, and the pathway to sustainable reindeer husbandry is using two ways of knowing. The project has combined the question of how Sámi reindeer herders adapt to adverse and changing weather conditions with the epistemological question of how to bring together and integrate the two different knowledge-domains of a) the knowledge and practice of traditional reindeer herding and b) the knowledge and practice of modern science and public management. The traditional knowledge is a source of resilience that could mitigate the risks of future disasters. The project has made reindeer herding knowledge more visible and respected.

Se vedlegg i punkt 4.

Future sustainable governance of Sámi reindeer husbandry might face major challenges related to rapid changes in the Arctic. Sámi reindeer husbandry represents a livelihood and way of life based on practices and knowledge developed through long-term experiences in living under harsh and highly variable conditions in the arctic environment. This research project is based on and according to goals and strategies set by Sámi allaskuvla- Sámi University of Applied Sciences and will provide knowledge base for further evaluating and developing our existing Bachelors Program in Reindeer Husbandry Studies and also for the Executive Board's future discussions about new study programmes and courses including topics relating to both climate change, industrialization and other rapid changes in the Arctic is using a multidisciplinary approach. The project will research traditional cultural capabilities in Sámi reindeer husbandry and the opportunities embedded in traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge with focus on adaptation to change and reconciliation, explain the tensions between the two interlinked spheres of knowledge involving different approaches to basic aspects of reindeer husbandry and herding, contribute to new knowledge and understanding in order to increase sustainability in reindeer husbandry and herding, and finally strengthen the reconciliation between the interlinked and conflicted spheres of knowledge. The project is a part of the strategical work of the Sámi University of Applied Sciences, strengthening our capacity within indigenous traditional knowledge, providing a foundation for further studies on tensions between different spheres of knowledge and research on reconciliation processes and how these processes could also include research and institutional reconciliation.