When the Forum next turned its attention to issues in the Arctic - chosen for the Forum’s annual half-day discussion on a world region -- Patricia Cochran, President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, reinforced her area’s connection to native peoples around the world, saying:  “Arctic peoples have experiences to share with all indigenous peoples.”

She said industry, shipping countries and tourism operators were eyeing its seas and other natural resources.  Heavy metals, mercury and others were in the air, water and food chain.  Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS) were being transported to the Arctic and becoming trapped in the cold.  In addition, States were causing problems:  the European Union import ban on seal skin products impacted the Inuit, who survived on those exports.

Despite that, she reminded the Forum that Inuit were a pragmatic people.  Her people would work with States to achieve an international agreement on black carbon and on mercury, and she called for the Forum’s support in those efforts.  They would work to ensure that industries sought the consent of indigenous people prior to undertaking activities that affected them, and reach out to former colonizers.  “We are optimistic and we will overcome”, she concluded.

In ensuing debate, several delegations praised the Arctic Council -- an intergovernmental forum of Arctic Governments and indigenous peoples -- as a model for international cooperation issues important for the region.

The President of the Saami Council pointed out, while the Arctic Council’s role was strengthening, its workload was increasing and the capacity of indigenous peoples to participate was at a standstill.  To maintain it as a model for joint decision-making, States had to provide more resources.  States and extractive industries must respect that oil, gas and mining resources were situated on, and/or could only be accessed from, indigenous peoples’ territories.  That called for agreements to be made with all parties before any resources were tapped.  “Indigenous people cannot be sacrificed on the altar of climate change.”

GENNADI D. OLEYNIK, Chairman of the Committee of the Council of Federation for Northern Affairs and Indigenous Peoples, Russian Federation, said that ensuring indigenous peoples’ legal and political situation was a national priority.  Last year, the Government approved a policy for the Arctic for “2020 and beyond”, which included initiatives to improve the quality of life for indigenous peoples and preserve their language.  The Russian Federation welcomed international cooperation through the Arctic Council.  Aside from the eight participating Arctic countries, other organizations participated, marking a unique partnership between Government and indigenous peoples.  There was no need for new Arctic treaties.  Moreover, marine treaties should be carried out in line with the Law of the Sea.

He said that, at the Arctic Council’s last session in April, his Government had proposed that work start on the drafting of pan-Arctic electronic encyclopaedia, which would set aside a prominent place for indigenous peoples.  The Government had improved its concept of sustainable development for indigenous peoples in Siberia, the north-east and other areas, for the period up to 2020.  It was necessary to enshrine in law indigenous peoples rights vis-à-vis mining operations, and address compensation for damage caused to their habitat, which resulted in the loss of traditional economic activities.

Regarding the Declaration, he said the General Assembly considered it a gold standard to be followed in the spirit of partnership.  It also recognized that indigenous peoples’ situation varied from region to region and historical backgrounds must be taken into consideration.  In 2006 and 2007, his Government considered that issue in parliamentary hearings, which had concluded that discrepancies between the Declaration and national law were caused by socio-economic characteristics of each State.  All problems must be resolved in the process of improving legislation.  Though not binding, most of the Declaration’s provisions had been enshrined in national legislation.

MIKHAIL POGODAEV, Russian Indigenous Caucus, speaking on behalf of several indigenous territories in nine countries, said his association had been set up in 2007.  Russia was the largest Arctic State and global warming was making the region increasingly accessible to industry.  He highlighted the important role of the Arctic Council, which had established dialogue between indigenous peoples and States.  The Russian Federation had good cooperation with indigenous peoples, with positive developments seen in the extractive industries.  He commented on a recent congress in which indigenous peoples had expressed their concern at what had happened in Kamchatka.  That region’s apportionment of land had been conducted through auctions of land plots.  That was not allowed and forbade indigenous peoples from maintaining their priority access to them.  As a result, they were compelled to become poachers on their own land.

PAVEL SULYANDZIGA, Forum member from the Russian Federation, pointed to three federal laws adopted in the Russian Federation and increases in subsidies to support indigenous peoples.  There would be a seminar on the indigenous languages of indigenous people living in the Russian Arctic region.  The Artic Council was the first body in which the Government and indigenous representatives sat on an equal footing.  The rapidly changing legislation in the Russian Federation was effectively eroding the rights of indigenous people there.  He pointed to emerging trends in which fisheries, forests and lakes were being taken away from indigenous people.  Leases were being given to private landholders for 15 to 20 years.  The Government was auctioning lands in indigenous peoples’ territory.  There was no specific Government body to address issues of indigenous people.  There was just one Government person working on indigenous issues, who could not keep pace with all the work involved.