Ä'rbb – A Shared Strategy for Cultural Heritage and Traditional Knowledge

Main objectives and impacts

• Strengthen Sámi-led cross-border cooperation in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and traditional knowledge.
• Strengthen Sámi self-determination and the principles guiding the respectful use of intangible cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, including free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)
• Support the transition of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage for future generations.
• Increase knowledge and understanding of the importance of Sámi cultural heritage.
• Deepen the co-operation between the Sámi Parliaments of Finland and Norway.

Concrete objectives and activities

• Create pilot inventories of Sámi intangible cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.
• Develop shared principles based on the needs identified by Sámi communities, collective ownership, and the FPIC principles.
• Organise workshops, meetings and create dialogue with Sámi communities.
• Gather knowledge and experiences to support future cultural heritage work.
• Prepare a joint strategic framework by the Sámi Parliaments of Finland and Norway for safeguarding, and for the respectful use of Sámi ICH.

The Ä’rbb project is included in the action plan of the Sámi Parliamentary Council and contributes to the council’s objective to develop a shared strategy and safeguard Sámi cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. The Sámi Parliament in Sweden is not an official partner in the project, but the perspectives of the Sámi communities in Sweden will be considered through the Sámi Parliamentary Council. Key project information and invitations to joint events will be shared with the Sámi Parliament in Sweden.

The project is based on the principles of UNESCO’s Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, applied from a Sámi perspective.

Ä’rbb means heritage in Skolt Sámi. The name was chosen because the word for heritage is similar in many other Sámi languages, making it easily understandable for many Sámi language speakers.