Our book had very interesting insight on the formation of indigenous sovereignty. This week’s section detailed the relationship between levels of government and merit of meeting the world on the terms of the indigenous government entity, and discussed sovereign independence vs. remaining a member of a colonizing nation.
I read about two Permanent Participants of the Arctic Council: the Gwich’in Council International and the Saami Council.
The Gwich’in Council International is governed by a volunteer board made up of representatives from both Canada and Alaska. Their membership of 9,000 resides in both countries. Gwich’in life and culture is traditionally based on the migration of the Porcupine Caribou herd. They practiced a nomadic lifestyle until the 1870’s, and hunting, trapping, fishing, and the relationship with the Porcupine Caribou herd remains culturally and economically important. Their work related to the Arctic Council focusses on the environment and sustainable development, including opposing oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Saami Council, which represents an estimated 100,000 people living in Finland, Russia, Norway, and Sweden, focusses on environmental protections and sustainable development in the Arctic as well. The Sámi traditions center around reindeer husbandry, fishing, hunting, and livestock farming. They have their own elected assembly.
As the chapter described, “paradoxically, globalization, whilst threatening the indigenous peoples of the High North, also serves to enhance their standing in the world.” The Arctic Council, being an EU-like IGO, is an advantageous tool for the Permanent Participants, serving as a platform by which to exert political authority. Leaning in to the structure of the Arctic Council is a tactic that the Permanent Participants have used to strengthen their international influence. However, the Arctic Council is in a nadir of historical relevance at the moment with choice to preclude Russia from council activities. When it is appropriate, advocating for reconciliation between the Arctic Council and Russia will benefit the international standing of Permanent Participants, and may be a worthwhile way to strengthen their influence.