Sunday, October 19, 2008

1200-1700

Cultural Event

Enjoy a traditional Saami lunch and musical performance in a scenic venue overlooking Tromsø.

1800-2000

Welcome Reception

·       Stein Rosenberg, Chair, SDWG

·       Duane Smith, President, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Canada

·       Olav Mattis Eira, Vice President, Saami Council

Monday, October 20, 2008

Chair: Duane Smith, President, ICC Canada

Facilitator: Liv Inger Somby

0900-1000

Opening and Welcome

·       Opening remarks: Duane Smith, President, ICC Canada

·       Yoik: Lars Magne Andreassen, Saami

·       Welcome to Sápmi: Olav Mattis Eira, Vice President, Saami Council

·       Opening comments: Norwegian Government representative, Arctic Council

·       Opening comments: Harald Finkler, Director, Circumpolar Liaison Directorate, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

1000-1030

Keynote Address

·       Mary Simon, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

1030-1100

Coffee Break

1100-1105

Symposium Business

·       Duane Smith

Session 1: Status and Trends of Arctic Indigenous Languages

1105-1150

Presentations

·       Hugues Sicard, UNESCO

·       Fenya Lekhanova, Russia

·       Jose Kusugak, Canada

1150-1230

General Discussion

1230-1245

Conclusions

·       Carl Christian Olsen, Greenland (ICC)

1245-1400

Lunch Break

Session 2: Protecting Culture and Transferring Traditional Knowledge – the Critical Role of Indigenous Language

To focus on the centrality of indigenous language in promoting indigenous culture and knowledge. Best practice examples to be incorporated.

1400-1445

Presentations

·       Tatiana Achirgina, Russia

·       Ronald Brower, Alaska

·       Inger Marie Gaup Eira, Saami

1445-1530

General Discussion

1530-1600

Coffee Break

Session 3: Technology and media as tools to promote and strengthen indigenous languages

As technology and its terminology evolve, indigenous peoples need to look at ways to use and incorporate them into everyday usage. The media has a significant role to play in this. This session will look at new initiatives using technology and the media.

1600-1700

Presentations

·       Zacharias Kunuk, President, Igloolik Isuma Productions

·       Linda Lee, Alaska

·       Per Langgård, Oqaasileriffik / Greenland Language Secretariat

·       Trond Trosterud, University of Tromsø

1700-1800

General discussion on the day’s sessions

1800-2100

Youth Dinner (with Youth Languages Forum to follow)

·       Facilitator: Shelley Tulloch, Canada

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Chair: Duane Smith, President, ICC Canada

Facilitator: Liv Inger Somby

0900-0905

Cultural Presentation

Session 4: Indigenous Languages: an Important Key to Protecting the Arctic Environment

Arctic peoples have a very close connection to the environment. Traditional knowledge expressed through language plays a critical role in helping to protect the environment. With climate change in the Arctic environment, indigenous languages have a major facilitating role in disseminating valuable knowledge of the changing environment.

0905-1000

Presentations

·       Hishinlai' Kathy R. Sikorski, Gwich'in Council International

·       Gunn-Britt Retter, Norway

·       Vera Metcalf, Alaska

1000-1045

General Discussion

1045-1115

Coffee Break

Session 5: Legislative Development and Standards setting to Promote and Enhance Indigenous Languages – the Role of Government and International Organizations

Community efforts in promoting indigenous languages need to be reinforced by appropriate legislation which recognizes the value and uniqueness of each Arctic indigenous language. Ways to ensure appropriate standards are set also need to be explored and implemented. This session will look at action that needs to be taken in this area.

1115-1145

Presentations

·       Lars Anders Baer, Sweden

·       Svetlana Semenova, Russia

·       Minister Louis Tapardjuk, Minister of Culture, Languages, Elders and Youth, Government of Nunavut

1145-1245

Response from Governments

·       Representatives of the 8 Arctic Council governments
While representatives of the Arctic Council governments are welcome to comment during the preceding agenda items, they are particularly invited to comment at this time.

1245-1400

Lunch Break

Session 6: Next Steps

1400-1500

Adoption of Conclusions and Recommendations

·       Drafting Committee representative

1500-1600

Closing and Final Remarks

·       Youth representative

·       Ole Henrik Magga, Norway

·       Duane Smith, President, ICC Canada