"I am thrilled to be vising the Polar Institute at the Wilson Center, working closely with the dedicated team, led by Dr Rebecca Pincus. Every day is a learning experience, whether it be about Arctic strategies, US constitutional law or the finer workings of American government. The experts at the Polar Institute either have all the answers or know where I can look. I am spending three months here as part of my exchange under the Fulbright Arctic Initiative IV (FAI IV).  

FAI IV involves twenty scholars from seven Arctic States, multiple academic disciplines, and professional life. The diverse group of twenty scholar participants – including five from Indigenous backgrounds – explores public policy research questions and offers innovative solutions to guide policy makers at the local, national, and international levels. It is sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Icelandic Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, as well as the Danish and Canadian governments, and would not be possible without the strong support from the Fulbright Commission and the various national Fulbright offices. 

We first met all together in person in Tromsø, Norway, before taking a tour of Finnmark, meeting with Sámi and settler experts and leaders at the Fram Centre, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, UiT Campus Alta, Sámi University College, the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry, the Sámi Parliament (Norway), and the Sámi Centre for Mental Health. We also visited the Alta museum, on the site of over 6000 petroglyphs (Sami rock art) that dates back up to 7000 years, nearly 6000 years before Iceland was inhabited. We continue to meet regularly online with some planned in-person meetings when opportunities arise to develop our research, discuss the trajectories of our projects, and learn from experts around the Arctic."

-------------------------------------------

Click here for the full article, authored by Rachael Lorna Johnstone, professor of law at the University of Akureyri and Ilisimatusarfik/the University of Greenland.