Sami Reindeer Herders’ Snow Terminology in a Changing Climate

Inger Marie Gaup Eira

Ph.D. StudentSami University College,

Kautokeino, Norway

& Reindeer Herder

May 24, 2007

Photo Courtesy of Svein D. Mathiesen

Where is Sápmi – Sámiland?

Reindeer herding and climate changeReindeer herding and climate changeReindeer herders’ vulnerability network study. Reindeer herders’ vulnerability network study.

EALÁT Research and Information

A PART OF THE EALÁT CONSORTIUM

Varming of reindeer pasturesVarming of reindeer pastures

EALÁTEALÁT RESEARCH: WARMING OF PASTURESRESEARCH: WARMING OF PASTURES

YAMAL YAMAL NENETS AONENETS AO

SAPMISAPMI

FFieldworkieldwork 2007/2008 2007/2008

Reindeer Migration – February 20, 2007

Sami reindeer herders use more than300 words on snow and snow change.

Reindeer herders’ traditional knowledgeshould be used to decrease vulnerability to change.

ČIEGARČIEGAROPPASOPPAS

Fieski

ČiergaSámi boazodoalus

leat s. 300 iešguđege analyhtalaš muohtasáni.

Skartibohkolat

časttas

čearga

činusfáska

gálja

girrat

joavggahatlavki

moarri

sievlla

rodda

muovllahatskoarádat

Pictures by ICR

Sámi Snow Terminology is an Adaptive Strategy

Knowledge and Adaptive Capacity

We acknowledge that reindeer herders’ abilities to adapt to changes are based on traditional knowledge incorporated in their languages, terms, in the operation of the herds and in each herder’s actions

Pictures by ICR

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Co-production of Knowledge

Collaboration with Russian reindeer herders

EALÁT Workshop Nadym, YNAOMarch 2, 2007

Nenets and Sámi herders exchanging knowledge

Examples of Traditional Knowledge for Adaptation

Cultural and linguistic diversity goes together with biological diversity.. It is through the language that traditional knowledge is available. Native languages shall therefore always be used in communication.

Ethical guidelines for handling traditional knowledge at the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry

www.reindeercentre.org

http://climate.weather.com/bloghttp://climate.weather.com/blog//

CLIMATE CHANGE AND REINDEER HERDINGCLIMATE CHANGE AND REINDEER HERDING

www.ealat.org

Thank you – Questions?