From women to women: practices of Indigenous communality-construction in Mexico, Sápmi, and Finland (Online)

On Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 from 15.

00 – 17.00 EEST (UTC+3) Online

What is Indigenous womens' role in self-governance, self-determination and autonomy building? This forum will bring different knowledges from Finland, Sápmi, and Mexico to discuss womens' contributions to self-determination, self-governance, and autonomy building. These processes are also closely linked and intersect with education, well-being, environmental justice, language, and cultural heritage. The speakers of the forum share their experiences in collectivity- and communality-building as well as gender equality in Indigenous societies. How have speakers’ own practices and methodologies been drawn from or impacted communality- and collectivity-building in Indigenous societies? From women’s perspectives, how have they impacted transformation and health in Indigenous territories and of Indigenous societies?

Due to COVID-19 restrictions there are a limited number of in-person participants, and we warmly welcome digital participation via Zoom. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us at exalt@helsinki.fi

Time: Tuesday October 5th, from 15–17 Helsinki Time (UTC+3)

Place: Zoom

Please use this link to register:

https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/113679/lomake.html

Speakers include, Helga West, Irja Seurujärvi-Kari, Eija Ranta, and Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen. Five Indigenous women guests from Mexico will comment on the panelists, which will be followed by a Q&A and collective discussion.

  • Helga West is a doctoral researcher in Theology, from Sápmi and also a poet.
  • Irja Seurujärvi-Kari is associated researcher in Global Indigenous studies and emerita lecturer in Sámi studies. She has extensive experience leading and participating in Indigenous movements and her doctoral dissertation focused on Sámi nation building.
  • Eija Ranta is an Academy of Finland research fellow, and she has worked with Indigenous societies in Bolivia.
  • Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen is associate professor in Indigenous studies, and has carried out community-based research in Brazilian Amazonia, especially with two Indigenous nations.

The event is organised by University of Helsinki Indigenous Studies and the Global Extractivisms and Alternatives Initiative (EXALT) in collaboration with Armadillo Collective Finland. This activity is funded by the Finnish University Partnership for International Development (UniPID).

The working language of the event is English with Spanish/English translations for guests on-site.