Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic

Indigenous Peoples cultures have adapted and evolved along with their understanding and appreciation of their world. Indigenous societies have imbued the land with meaning; every feature is named and linked to the history and spiritual lives of the people. The land and waters of the Arctic anchor indigenous societies. They provide resources upon which their cultures continue to survive. However, Indigenous peoples have inhabited the Arctic for thousands of years. The proportion indigenous people are estimated to be about 10 percent of the total population living in arctic areas. There are over 40 different ethnic groups living in the Arctic. Map with fact boxes on Indigenous peoples who are permanent participants at the Arctic Council. Arctic indigenous peoples include for example Saami in circumpolar areas of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Northwest Russia, Nenets, Khanty, Evenk and Chukchi in Russia, Aleut, Yupik and Inuit (Iٌupiat) in Alaska, Inuit (Inuvialuit) in Canada and Inuit (Kalaallit) in Greenland. All of the above-mentioned countries except Iceland have indigenous peoples living within their Arctic territory.