Arctic Heritage: Commodification, Identity, and Revitalisation in the Anthropocene
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Sch of Social Science
Abstract
This is a project to explore the commodity chains of three iconic heritage artefacts in the Arctic: reindeer antler, the conical tent, and mammoth and walrus ivory. The project will trace the oral histories and new market and social entanglements of these artefacts across several sites in Sápmi, Canada, and Greenland, linking them to historical pastoralist and hunting lifeways and their transformation over time. In recent years, each artefact has taken a new form within the heritage and tourism industries: 1) reindeer antler as Traditional Chinese Medicine; 2) the conical tent as a fixed tourism dwelling; 3) and ivory as souvenir carvings. They thus tell a wider story of Arctic heritage and the relationship between indigenous producers, consumers, and the market. Our objectives are to research the transformation of the artefacts into heritage objects and their movement across national and international commodity chains. We will follow their material and symbolic journeys through historical and emergent networks of harvesting, production, commercialisation, and consumption. We will use ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews, and zooarchaeological analysis to investigate ancient and contemporary trade. We hypothesise a gap between the commercialisation of the artefacts and their non-utilitarian value in terms of skills, communities of practice, and experience-based knowledge. We anticipate this to feed into debates about tradition, ecological sustainability, and cultural loss, as well as renewed calls for cultural protection, revitalisation, and legislation. The project will thus tackle questions surrounding the ethics of heritage and ethnic tourism, the viability and sustainability of craft production, so-called 'heritage-isation' of indigenous culture, and the cultural politics of heritage in the context of the Arctic. We will publish several works including interdisciplinary publications, an edited volume, and organise three museum exhibitions.
Organisations
- University of Aberdeen (Lead Research Organisation)
- Heriot-Watt University (Collaboration)
- Hitotsubashi University (Collaboration)
- McGill University (Collaboration)
- National Museum of World Cultures (Project Partner)
- University of Oslo (Project Partner)
- Aologuya Ewenke Township Government (Project Partner)
- Liaocheng University (Project Partner)
Publications
Anderson DG
(2024)
Academia Across the Borders
Anderson DG
(2024)
Convivial Relations in the North: Reflections on Food Sovereignty
Anderson DG
(2024)
A Fractured North - Journeys on Hold
Anderson DG
(2025)
The Benefits of the Cold
| Title | Artwork and visual for the project |
| Description | Project member Maria Nordvall designed a logo and visual material to be used for posters, presentations and so on within the project. It portrays the three main themes of Archeritage: antlers, walrus ivory and Sámi conical tents. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Impact | The image have been working as a tool to visually spread awareness of our project, often in combination with text and information. Its been used on instagram, in email, in presentations and various webpages as well as for posters. |
| Description | Expert Review of UArctic funding projects 2024 |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | The UArctic projects are obliged to show an impact on rural indigenous peoples. |
| Description | British Arctic Centre - UK-Japan Bursary |
| Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In collaboration with the the UK Arctic Centre we organised a set of field seminars on Arctic Artisanal Whaling. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Klasvik Field Seminar July 2024 Our UK-Japan team was hosted by the Klasvik city council in the town's whaling museum. We had a round-table meeting with former mayor and sheriff responsible for accounting and redistributing whale meat, and met with whalers and a local master who coordinates the carving and distribution of the food. We spoke about the history and contemporary management of the whale trade and were shown historic documents and equipment used by local subsistence whalers. Sandefjord Field Seminar Jan 2025 Our UK-Japan team held a field seminar in the Sandefjord whaling museum. The visit included a visit to the Antarctic whaling ship in the local harbour as well as presentations on indigenous Sami whaling, indigenous participation in international whaling, and comparisons with whaling in the Faroe Islands. We were joined by researchers from all over Norway, some online, and made new collaborations for a future grant application. Taiji Field Seminar Dec 2025 Our UK-Japan team travelled to Osaka, Taiji and Kokura. In each place we met with local whalers and spoke about the problems that they are experiencing in finding new markets for local whale projects. We also visited the national cetacean centre and spoke with officials there as well as visited the local whaling museum. |
| Impact | The outcomes are still in progress |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | British Arctic Centre - UK-Japan Bursary |
| Organisation | Hitotsubashi University |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In collaboration with the the UK Arctic Centre we organised a set of field seminars on Arctic Artisanal Whaling. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Klasvik Field Seminar July 2024 Our UK-Japan team was hosted by the Klasvik city council in the town's whaling museum. We had a round-table meeting with former mayor and sheriff responsible for accounting and redistributing whale meat, and met with whalers and a local master who coordinates the carving and distribution of the food. We spoke about the history and contemporary management of the whale trade and were shown historic documents and equipment used by local subsistence whalers. Sandefjord Field Seminar Jan 2025 Our UK-Japan team held a field seminar in the Sandefjord whaling museum. The visit included a visit to the Antarctic whaling ship in the local harbour as well as presentations on indigenous Sami whaling, indigenous participation in international whaling, and comparisons with whaling in the Faroe Islands. We were joined by researchers from all over Norway, some online, and made new collaborations for a future grant application. Taiji Field Seminar Dec 2025 Our UK-Japan team travelled to Osaka, Taiji and Kokura. In each place we met with local whalers and spoke about the problems that they are experiencing in finding new markets for local whale projects. We also visited the national cetacean centre and spoke with officials there as well as visited the local whaling museum. |
| Impact | The outcomes are still in progress |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CICADA research network |
| Organisation | McGill University |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The CICADA research network based in Montreal, Canada has put to the foreground the reserach on indigenous forms of tenure in the foreshore and intertidal areas. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We have reported on our work on intertidal resource use in Scotland and Japan |
| Impact | The main output is a colloborative book project |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | "Nuisance" Bears in Eastern Siberia: Arctic Food Sovereignty |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Seminar on "Issues in Arctic Food Sovereignty" was organised by the Centre for the North and was a public event involving 20 members of the public and the University |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | A longer story about three tents |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was part of an open seminar at Groenigen University about Arctic Cultural Heritage in which dozens of students participated |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| Description | ArcHeritage Seminar on Artisanal Whaling at the Cultural Historical Museum Oslo |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Prof. Gro Ween hosted a group of 12 scholars from across Norway, Japan, and the UK to discuss local, small scale "artisanal whaling" on 14 January. Among the highlights of the seminar was a discussion about small scale whaling in Taiji Japan, the history of Saami involvement in both small scale and industrial whaling, and a discussion of new ways of commodifying relations with cetaceans through community food systems and tourism. The group decided to keep in touch with a website and work together on a co-authored article and an online blog. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.abdn.ac.uk/socsci/research/projects/archeritage/news/24187/ |
| Description | Arctic Artisanal Whaling - Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | This was a special international seminar at the Cultural Historical Museum in Oslo |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | First Project Meeting -= Aberdeen |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We held our first project meeting at the Toadhall Rooms in Muchalls, south of Aberdeen. 30 January - 2 February 2024. This was the first time we all met in person (with the exception of one team member who had to participate online due to flight cancellations). We held workshops where we studied objects, discussed future ideas for the project and all project members gave presentations, as listed below. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.abdn.ac.uk/socsci/research/First_Project_Meeting.php |
| Description | Gro Birgit Ween - After the Guovdageaidnu rebellion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was part of an open seminar at Groenigen University about Arctic Cultural Heritage in which dozens of students participated. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Gro Birgit Ween - Streams of Sami salmon knowledge, and conditions for ongoing salmon collaborations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | "Streams of Sami salmon knowledge, and conditions for ongoing salmon collaborations". The seminar was Collaborative research processes with Sámi experts on heritage production, including intangible heritage related to landscape practices. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Inside the circle outside the frame |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was part of an open seminar at Groenigen University about Arctic Cultural Heritage in which dozens of students participated. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Instagram post about my research and Arctic Heritage on University of Aberdeen's department of Art history page |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The Department of Art History at the University of Aberdeen conducted a short interview with me, featuring me as "Researcher in Focus" for the month. In the interview, I discussed my current research and highlighted the Arc Heritage project. Thanks to extensive engagement, including numerous shares, comments, and likes, the post reached a broad audience across multiple countries, particularly in the UK, Sweden, and Norway. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Klasvik Community Meeting on the History of Community Whaling |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This community meeting was part of a growing exchange network on Arctic Artisanal Whaling. It took place in the whaling community of Klasvik and was widely reported in the media. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://admin.nordlysid.fo/tidindi/83639/borgarstjorin-forkunnuga-vitjan |
| Description | Participating on BEYOND COP28: CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUTH |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Maria Nordvall, participated at BEYOND COP28: CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUTH, this spring as the Arctic representative. Professor David Anderson is recognised as a key supporter and friend of the COP28 youth team. The virtual event aimed to review and reflect on COP28, particularly in relation to the 1.5°C goal, the disproportionate impacts of climate change and ensuring that marginalised voices and communities are included in climate change discussions. Nordvall's focus was on raising awareness of green colonialism and how a true green transition cannot be made at the expense of indigenous peoples and how this realted to the Archeritage project and her research within it. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.abdn.ac.uk/uploads/socsci/documents/FINAL_BEYOND_COP28__REPORT.pdf |
| Description | Presentation - Circumpolar Imaginaries |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | An international working group assembling a handbook for policy makers on Arctic Anthorpology |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Presentation - Indigenous and Local Whaling in the Arctic |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a policy seminar on international forms of protection for indigenous whaling at the University of Bergen |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Presentation for Ájtte research department |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | During a meeting with the research department at Ájtte Museum, I presented the project alongside our ongoing research. The participants involved consisted of a diverse group, including a PhD student from France, a Professor of History of Religions, a Professor of Cultural History, as well as scholars in anthropology and political science. Additionally, members of the Sámi community were present, including artists, handicrafters, and a writer. This resulted in interest for our project and planning for future collaborations, and very particularly an upcoming conference in Umeå in Sweden. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Presentation on Ájtte sámi museum in Jokkmokk, Sweden |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I presented my research as a second-year PhD student, with focus on the Arctic Heritage project, at Ájtte, the Sámi and Mountain Museum in Jokkmokk, Sweden. The audience comprised the museum's entire staff, including academics, artists, conservators, curators, public engagement professionals, and maintenance staff. This diverse group provided an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of our research across various disciplines and roles within the institution, aswell as the Sámi community in large since the majority of the attenders were Sámis. The presentation inspired insightful discussions and led to the planning of an additional session with the research unit in 2025. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presenting research for Aberdeen Art History department |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I delivered a digital presentation on my PhD research within the framework of the project, aiming to broaden my reach and receive feedback from another discipline closely connected to my research. This resulted in concrete feedback and meaningful discussions, while also increasing awareness of our project within another sector of the university. Consequently, this facilitated networking with other PhD students and, in the long term, led to my research being highlighted on their Instagram page. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | School Visit (Aberdeen) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | As part of the S3 curriculum unit "theory of knowledge" I presented on the indigenous knowledge of Evenkis in Eastern Siberia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| Description | Theory of Knowledge - Siberia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | This 40 minute lecture forms part of the "Theory of Knowledge" curriculum for secondary students at the International School of Aberdeen |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | UArctic Chairs International Meeting - Reykjavik |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The UArctic chairs presented at the Arctic Circle meeting in Reykjavik. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |