This book focuses specifically on the experience and protection of indigenous and particularly
Sámi sacred sites in the Arctic. Sacred sites are being increasingly recognized as important
reservoirs of Arctic cultural and biological diversity as a means for the transmission of
culture and identity and a tool for the preservation of fragile northern social-ecological
systems. Yet legal protection of Arctic sacred sites and related policies are often still
lacking or absent. It becomes increasingly difficult for site custodians in the Arctic to
protect these ancient sites due to disruptive changes such as climate change economic
developments and infrastructural development. With contributions from Sámi and non-Sámi
scholars from Arctic regions this book provides new insights into our understanding of the
significance and legal protection of sacred sites for Sámi of the Arctic. It examines the role
of international human rights environmental law and longstanding customary law that uphold
Arctic indigenous peoples¿ rights in conservation and their associated management systems. It
also demonstrates the complex relationships between indigenous knowledge cultural spiritual
values and belief systems and nature conservation. The book looks forward to providing
guidelines for future research and practice for improved integration of the ethical cultural
and spiritual values of nature into law policy planning and management. As such this book
offers a contribution to upholding the sanctity of these sites their cultural identity and the
biodiversity associated with them.
