Future sustainability of Sámi reindeer husbandry might face major challenges related to the rapid changes in the Arctic. The project will, by researching the traditional cultural capabilities in Sámi reindeer husbandry in the Nordic Countries, focus on the opportunities embedded in traditional knowledge related to reindeer herder’s food cultures to adapt to the challenges.

The Arctic Council project EALLU will firstly, document indigenous traditional knowledge on food culture, including knowledge on the raw materials, knowledge about preparation and conservation methods, and knowledge on food courses/ recipes. Secondly, the project will plan and implement an international seminar on Arctic indigenous food culture, involving Arctic indigenous reindeer herding youth, contributing to competence building, and bridging knowledge gaps between the generations of indigenous elders and youth on food culture in the circumpolar north as part of EAT Forum Stockholm. Thirdly the project will outreach traditional knowledge and food cultures of Arctic indigenous peoples by making a course and a reindeer herders cookbook disseminated by using the website www.reindeerherding.org.

Main deliverables include Youth – The future of reindeer herding peoples, a report providing key recommendations on health, language, traditional knowledge, economy and technology, and a course on traditional food culture, biodiversity and community building for indigenous youth.

Applicant: International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR)

Countries: Norway, Russia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden

Project start 2015, expected to be finalized in 2016.

Copyright pictures: Silje Bergum Kinsten/norden.org