Last week, representatives from Vierme K, Såhkie – Umeå Sami Association, the Cultural Council, Umeå Municipality, Region Västerbotten and Arctic Art’s secretariat were on site in Ottawa in Canada.
There they participated during a solemn handover of the hosting of the meeting, which was arranged there in 2022.
In the summer of 2026 it will be arranged in Umeå.
“Is about real -termination”
The initiative comes from Sami and has been preceded by a feasibility study conducted by Vierme K.
– Arctic Arts Summit was created to make visible the conditions, challenges and opportunities that characterize the culture in the Arctic field, says Jerker Bexelius.
He continues:
– For the indigenous people, it is about real inclusion – not just as part of the conversation, but as obvious actors and decision makers.
Hope for 600 participants
In Canada, 400 delegates gathered. In Umeå, organizers hope to be able to welcome as many as 600 people from both Sweden, Norway, Finland, USA, Canada, Iceland and Greenland.
– A common Arctic discourse is necessary to promote stability, and the summit emphasizes the growing collaboration between Arctic nations, says Maria Utsi, founder of Arctic Arts Summit.
During the ongoing Sami week in Umeå, an information meeting about the meeting is arranged. It will be held in Miklagård in Umeå Folkets Hus on Thursday.