Sacred sites in the Arctic need protection – First International declaration drafted

For the first time, over 70 sacred sites custodians, indigenous people's organizations, scientists, policy makers and members of civil society gathered in Finland to draft a joint Conference Declaration that states recommendations and guidelines for policy-making related to sacred sites in the Arctic and that calls for better recognize, legally protect and manage the sacred sites and sanctuaries of indigenous peoples in the Arctic region. First Arctic sacred sites declaration draft is the outcome of an international conference “Protecting the sacred: Recognition of Sacred Sites of Indigenous Peoples for Sustaining Nature and Culture in Northern and Arctic Regions” that brought together participants from six Arctic countries in Rovaniemi and Pyhätunturi, Finland, on September 11–13, 2013. Read the full story from the Arctic Cente website