Given the increasing interest for the northern regions as a target area, and especially with regard to the northern areas policy, it becomes crucial to secure the indigenous interests, participation and influence in all society development and dialogues in and about the north. Why? Three main focuses appear as an answer:

First of all; what are the impacts on indigenous cultures of a warming arctic, of increasing exploitation of renewable and non- renewable resources, a new foreign policy picture, of the demographic and economic development? This situation implies challenges, but also qualitative new premises and possibilities. The impact of these heavy processes is not only a question of filling gaps of knowledge. It is also a challenge of making a choice of values. For example, strategies of increasing petroleum activities must be confronted with international responsibilities concerning indigenous peoples, climate and milieu. 

External link: AMAP

Secondly; In order to cope with this situation, the indigenous dimension must be handled as a cross-cutting aspect in all thematic priorities. Questions of for example the indigenous role in resource management, illustrated with increasing petroleum activities in the north, must be addressed.

Thirdly; it is necessary to pinpoint how indigenous peoples themselves utilize regional and global processes. The Saami political experience nationally and across the state borders as well as on the international level, illustrate how the Saamis have succeeded with regard to political and legal innovations. Arctic cultures, including indigenous cultures, have proven remarkably successful in protecting, but at the same time adopting continuously, their cultures in order to come to terms with rapid social changes. 

External link: Artic Human Development Report

The above mentioned challenges and questions have to be reflected in research and education. Tromsø as a knowledge centre with the University and other research milieus, stand out in this respect. The University of Tromsø has expertise on Saami and indigenous issues within a wide variety of disciplines, and is cooperating with other Saami research institutions. Within this field the university is actively involved in international networking and cooperation, also including indigenous-to-indigenous cooperation. Among the international projects, the University has established a multi-disciplinary Master Program in Indigenous Studies, aiming to recruit Saami, Norwegian and International Students.

External link: Centre for Sami Studies 
External link: Masterprogram