President Näkkäläjärvi at the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi: Indigenous Peoples are a part of Arctic security
Sámi Parliament President Pirita Näkkäläjärvi delivered the opening remarks at the European Arctic Summit hosted by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Rovaniemi on 14 September 2026. President Näkkäläjärvi emphasised to European heads of government that sustainable Arctic security cannot be achieved without the people of the Arctic region and vital Indigenous People.
Sámi Parliament’s President Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo and University of Lapland Rector Antti Syväjärvi Photo: Lauri Heikkinen/Prime Minister’s Office.
In her remarks, President Näkkäläjärvi highlighted the Sámi as an Indigenous people and underlined the role of Indigenous Peoples as a part of Arctic security and resilience. She emphasised that Arctic security is ultimately also about the conditions of everyday life.
– There is no Arctic security without the people of the region and its Indigenous Peoples. We need conditions where we can live, continue our traditions and build our future in the Arctic. It is also important that our people can stay in the North — or return here after their studies, Näkkäläjärvi said.
Traditional livelihoods support Arctic security
President Näkkäläjärvi reminded the dignitaries that the Sámi are the only recognised Indigenous people within the European Union.
She also noted that the foundations of the Sámi culture are its living Sámi languages, in Finland Skolt Sámi, Inari Sámi and Northern Sámi, and all traditional livelihoods, such as reindeer herding, hunting, fishing, gathering and Sámi handicrafts (duodji, tyeji, ǩiõtt-tuejj).
– Sámi culture and traditional Sámi livelihoods keep the North and the border regions inhabited, preventing vacuums that can be exploited by hostile actors. People practicing traditional livelihoods are our eyes and our ears on the land every day. Traditional livelihoods, especially reindeer herding, are also a factor in security of supply as a part of Arctic resilience, Näkkäläjärvi said.
In her speech, President Näkkäläjärvi also emphasised that the Sámi, as an Indigenous people, need the support of the European Union to cope with the changes brought by climate change especially. According to President Näkkäläjrvi, this is part of investing in Arctic security.
– We hope that the Sámi participation in European Union decision-making will be taken into consideration in the EU’s forthcoming Arctic strategy, and that we will be supported in our efforts to pass all living Sámi languages, traditional livelihoods and our way of life on to the future generations, President Näkkäläjärvi said.
Guests were interested in the living Sámi languages and the impact of climate change on reindeer herding
In addition to her formal address, President Näkkäläjärvi also had the opportunity to speak with the heads of government before their official programme began.
– Guests asked particularly about the living Sámi languages. They were very interested in the impact of climate change on reindeer herding. I emphasised that the adaptation of all traditional Sámi livelihoods to climate change requires both political and financial support from the EU, and that permanent structures are needed to ensure Sámi participation in EU decision-making.
Alongside President Näkkäläjärvi, the opening of the European Arctic Summit also featured remarks by Antti Syväjärvi, Rector of the University of Lapland.
More information:
Pirita Näkkäläjärvi
President
044 753 3766
pirita.nakkalajarvi@samediggi.fi
Quote from the Joint Statement of the European Arctic Summit:
”We emphasise that sustainable development and protection of the fragile Arctic environment and ecosystems must remain at the heart of Arctic policies. The transition to clean energy, responsible and sustainable management of natural resources, engagement of Arctic Indigenous Peoples and local communities and investment in sustainable economic activities are essential for ensuring long-term stability and prosperity in the region. Sustainable and responsibly sourced Arctic resources can strengthen critical material supply security.
We underline the value of Arctic scientific research and international academic and scientific cooperation, including with non-Arctic States, as a foundation for knowledge-based and responsible governance of the region as well as its importance for understanding the changes to the global climate. We reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the rights, livelihoods and cultures of the Indigenous Peoples and ensuring their effective participation in decision-making processes affecting the Arctic, as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
Joint Statement of the European Arctic Summit on 14 September 2026
