The Norwegian Union of Social Workers (FO) and the Arctic University in Alta invites to our post-conference event in Alta October 9-10, themed “Indigenous Social Work – in the North,” where we focus on indigenous perspectives and challenges within social work in the northern regions. Join us for a day filled with inspiring lectures, cultural performances, and engaging discussions as we explore topics such as indigenous resilience, the work of the Truth Commission, sustainability, and youth political activism.
The conference focuses on environmental changes and how they affect the Sami people in the North, who live closely connected to nature.
Professionals will on the second day share their experiences from working with social and health services for the Sami population.
The conference offers free access for employees, students and guest to individual lectures. Registration for the social part and lunch/dinner is closed. You can find more information here https://ifsw2025.no/post-conference/. The conference language is English.
Organizers: UiT The Acrtic University of Norway, Institute of Child Welfare and Social work and Norwegian Union of Social Educators and Social Workers
- Chair Nina Hermansen UiT , Associate professor in Social Sciences at the
Department of Social Work and Child Welfare, UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
- Musical performance by Kari Heimen
- Welcome greetings from;
Maret Bendicte Nystad Storslett, Member of the Governing Council of the Sámi Parliament
Jannice Nilsen, Vice President of Norwegian Union of Social Educators and Social Workers
Anne Britt Flemmen, Dean of Faulty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, UiT The Arctic university of Norway
Kl. 13. 00 -13.45 Hilary Weaver - “Reclaiming our voices - indigenous resilience”
Kl. 13.45 -15.15 Film Screening of Harry Johanson’s film "Salmon Sorrow" followed by comments from the film director Harry Johansen and audience
Kl. 15.15 -15.45 Coffee/tea break
Kl. 15.45 – 16.30 Per Olav Persen - "Solving the Climate-, Nature-, and Knowledge Crisis - An Indigenous Perspective on Green Colonialism "
Kl. 16.30 -17.15 Circle discussion on the day's topics - Chair Jan- Erik Henriksen, Institute of Child Welfare and Social Work, UiT The Arctic university of Norway.
Kl. 18.30 bus to Alta Museum from UiT, campus Alta ( only for registered participants)
Sparkling wine reception
Kl. 19.45 Bus to Sami Siida
Kl 20 – 22.30 Bidos Sami Siida
Ca. Kl. 22.30 Bus to Centrum (hotels)
Kl.8.30 – 9..00 Eva Josefsen -"From Colonization to Justice: Indigenous Rights and the Welfare State".
Kl. 9.00- 10.15 Elle Margget Nystad, Law Student and Leader of NSR Nuorat and Lina Maria Karlsen, Social Worker and Leader of the Socialist Left Party's Sami Council- “When People in Power Positions Listen with Closed Ears. Discussion on the Fosen demonstration and challenges in dialogue between activists and authorities”.
Including comments from the audience
Kl. 10.15 – 10.45 Coffee/tea break
Kl. 10.45 – 12.15 Expert talks from the health and social care field in Finnmark each 20 minutes presentation and 10 minutes comments from the audience.-
Kl.10. 45 -11.15 - Guro S. Nordgaard and Katja Keskitalo, psychiatric. Sami National Center for Mental Health SÁNAG/SANKS – Finnmark Hospital Trust. Title: Development of good health services for reindeer herding.
Kl.11.15 – 11.45 Eirin Johansen and Maret Susanne Bitustøyl - Alternativ til vold (Alternative to Violence) Finnmark. Title: Indigenous Perspectives in Working with Domestic Violence
Kl. 11.45 -12.15 May Helen Schanche og Marius Krøglid, National Sami Competence Center (NASAK/NASÁG) - Trust and Competence in Transition: Promoting Equitable Services for All Sámi Children and Families – Insights from NASAK
Kl. 12.15 Kl. 12.30. Closing words by FO and UiT the Arctic University of Norway
Kl.12:30: Lunch - outside Cultural hall - grab and go or have a rest in Café Tamsøy ( only registered participants)