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Protecting what nature? The (mis)recognition of Sámi traditional knowledge in the Finnish Nature Conservation Act reform

Pakkasvirta, Elsa LU (2022) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20221
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract (Swedish)
The importance of indigenous knowledges has been acknowledged in biodiversity conservation, but practical engagement with them in decision-making is still lacking. In this thesis, I study this contradiction in the context of Finland and the indigenous Sámi. By conducting a case study on how Sámi traditional knowledge (STK) is addressed in the ongoing Nature Conservation Act reform, I politicize Finnish biodiversity conservation and expose dynamics of Sámi (mis)recognition. Based on a content analysis of policy documents and expert interviews, I find that although the law reform is characterized as progressive, it is only a first step towards recognizing STK in Finnish legislation and as such inadequate. Through a critical analysis of... (More)
The importance of indigenous knowledges has been acknowledged in biodiversity conservation, but practical engagement with them in decision-making is still lacking. In this thesis, I study this contradiction in the context of Finland and the indigenous Sámi. By conducting a case study on how Sámi traditional knowledge (STK) is addressed in the ongoing Nature Conservation Act reform, I politicize Finnish biodiversity conservation and expose dynamics of Sámi (mis)recognition. Based on a content analysis of policy documents and expert interviews, I find that although the law reform is characterized as progressive, it is only a first step towards recognizing STK in Finnish legislation and as such inadequate. Through a critical analysis of political ecology, I argue that Sámi recognition is only possible if the difference of the Sámi worldview is taken seriously and STK is appreciated as valid knowledge. This must translate into concrete practices to incorporate Sámi perspectives into decision-making. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Pakkasvirta, Elsa LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Sámi, indigenous knowledge, environmental justice, political ecology, just transformations, green colonialism, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2022:049
language
English
id
9088990
date added to LUP
2022-06-15 10:56:46
date last changed
2022-06-15 10:56:46
@misc{9088990,
  abstract     = {{The importance of indigenous knowledges has been acknowledged in biodiversity conservation, but practical engagement with them in decision-making is still lacking. In this thesis, I study this contradiction in the context of Finland and the indigenous Sámi. By conducting a case study on how Sámi traditional knowledge (STK) is addressed in the ongoing Nature Conservation Act reform, I politicize Finnish biodiversity conservation and expose dynamics of Sámi (mis)recognition. Based on a content analysis of policy documents and expert interviews, I find that although the law reform is characterized as progressive, it is only a first step towards recognizing STK in Finnish legislation and as such inadequate. Through a critical analysis of political ecology, I argue that Sámi recognition is only possible if the difference of the Sámi worldview is taken seriously and STK is appreciated as valid knowledge. This must translate into concrete practices to incorporate Sámi perspectives into decision-making.}},
  author       = {{Pakkasvirta, Elsa}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Protecting what nature? The (mis)recognition of Sámi traditional knowledge in the Finnish Nature Conservation Act reform}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}