NIEM Marks 40 Years with Seminar on Arctic Law and Indigenous Rights

The Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law (NIEM) at the University of Lapland celebrated its 40th anniversary on September 18, 2025, with a seminar on Arctic law and Indigenous rights. Since its founding in 1985, NIEM has been a leader in research at the intersection of environmental law, minority rights, and Arctic governance. It also hosts the University of the Arctic’s (UArctic) Thematic Network on Arctic Law, as well as the UArctic Chair in Arctic Legal Research and Education.

The half-day seminar, held at the Arctic Centre Library, gathered researchers, PhD candidates, and legal experts to reflect on four decades of scholarship and explore future challenges. The first session focused on Indigenous legal traditions, with Dr. Anne-Maria Magga presenting on Sámi laws and principles, followed by reflections from Dr. Leena Hansen. The second session examined Arctic environmental law, featuring contributions from Professors Kamrul Hossain and Timo Koivurova, among others, on issues such as climate change, seabed mining, and international governance of the Arctic Ocean.

The event highlighted NIEM’s longstanding commitment to linking academic research with the realities of Arctic communities. It also underscored its central role within UArctic in fostering international collaboration on Arctic law, positioning the institute to continue shaping legal responses to the region’s rapid environmental and social transformations.