Indigenous peoples are now in the most vulnerable position. This opinion was expressed by a chairperson of the Sami Parliament of Norway Egil Olli during the opening ceremony of the II Congress of the indigenous peoples of the Barenz region on February, 10 in Kirkenes, Norway.

“We are in the region which possesses uncountable resources. We have hunting, fishing, animal husbandry, which are the main occupations of the indigenous peoples, the basis of their existence. The region is also rich in deposits of natural resources such as oil, gas, minerals. That’s why there are great expectations, connected with development and well-being of the indigenous peoples. Barenz region is called ‘energetic’ – and indigenous peoples here and in the other northern districts feel how policy and business are invading their life more and more intensely. Sometimes the basis of the well-being of the indigenous peoples is lost. The indigenous peoples are now vulnerable as never before. However, we have organized our working in the Barenz region quite well, and it gives us a hope for a better future. New resources development can be profitable to many people. We should take an active part in this development, but we should not forget about our culture, especially what is concerned about traditional knowledge. Indigenous peoples should find answers to a number of essential questions like these: are we ready to take part in the new industrial development? Are we competent enough to work in such branches as hydrocarbon extraction? Indigenous peoples should not just wait for something, we should participate in the new development of the region in cooperation with our partners, enter in the new future together. At the same time we should save our resources, find common solutions for the development of the new industries. The indigenous peoples of the Barenz region are already taking part in it,”- he stated.

According to him, the Sami Parliament of Norway provides the necessary support for the Sami people in this process, in particular, through the Center of Indigenous peoples’ rights, organized at the Sami Parliament of Norway, which is engaged in the legal issues.