Inuit leaders from Russia, Canada, the United States and Greenland convene this summer in Nuuk, Greenland for the 11th General Assembly of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC). Also attending will be political leaders from territorial and state governments in the circumpolar world and various Arctic Indigenous peoples including representatives of the Saami Council and the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North.
Held every four years, General Assemblies shape the political priorities and direction of ICC. The agenda of the Nuuk General Assembly reflects the growing importance of the circumpolar Arctic within the world. Issues to be tackled include: Arctic sovereignty; mineral extraction and resource development; Arctic marine shipping; hunting and food security; health and well-being; climate change; contaminants; sharing of traditional knowledge and practices; use of the Inuit language, Inuktitut; self-governance; the future of the Arctic Council; and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Elections will be held for the Chair and Executive committee of ICC. This assembly holds great importance to ICC International as this year represents the 30th anniversary of the signing of the ICC Charter. Greenland as host also holds significance due to its influential recent strides in Self-Government. Come to this year’sassembly and hear what action Inuit leaders plan to take next.
When: June 28 – July 2, 2010 Where: Nuuk, Greenland
For information and registration, go to the ICC website, www.inuitcircumpolar.com and click on ICC General Assembly.