TROMSØ/ALTA: UiT, Norway's Arctic University and the University of Saskatchewan in Canada are collaborating on the master's program “Geni” (Joint Master's Degree in Governance and Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Territories). As a result of this collaboration, UiT this week was visited by representatives of a number of indigenous communities and Indian tribes. The visit starts in Tromsø, and then visits Hammerfest, among others, before going to Alta, where today they will get an introduction to reindeer herding in Norway.

Native inhabitants

Else Grete Broderstad, Indigenous studies professor and academic leader, said UiT was impressed with how the University of Saskatchewan addressed challenges in Indigenous areas, and how they successfully recruited Indigenous students.

– So we started the first joint master's program between Norway and Canada, called “Geni”. We have a clear focus on indigenous peoples and indigenous peoples' rights. We hold online lectures and debates, and at the same time we have “field schools” where students and representatives from, among other things, Indian tribes from Canada visit us and vice versa. The idea is that we should help each other to build unique competencies that make local communities stronger, Broderstad said.

Eagle feather

Indian chief Simon Bird was part of the traveling party, and when he saw some stuffed birds at a hotel in Lakselv, the Indian chief was particularly fascinated by the Norwegian eagle.

– I've never seen an eagle this big and powerful, and I grew up with eagles around me, Bird said.

Interest did not diminish when a large sea eagle passed by while the participants were on their bus trip the next day.

– I don't like asking for things for myself, I am more concerned that my people and the people I represent should get the rights and respect they deserve. Nevertheless, I had to ask Stig Brøndbo if it was possible to take home a Norwegian eagle feather. “It would be a great honor,” Bird said.

Stig Brøndbo, communications advisor at UiT, hopes to have some good news before Bird leaves Tromsø on Saturday.

– I don't have feathers, so I hope other Tromsø people have feathers that they can give to the Indian chiefs from Canada, said Brøndbo.