Coinciding with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26), this virtual symposium will convene speakers from museums located in or representing the Arctic to address climate change and the imminent threat it poses to the indigenous communities they serve.

Virtual Event: On the Front Line: Arctic Museums and Climate Change | National Nordic Museum

Keynote speakers include Dr. Jago Cooper, Head Curator of the Americas, British Museum, and Dr. Amber Lincoln, Curator of the Americas, British Museum, who recently organized the exhibition “Arctic Culture and Climate.” Dr. Chris Breward, Director of National Museums Scotland, will serve as a moderator.

Following the keynote, two sessions will consider the impact of climate change on indigenous communities and the collections and programs that explore indigenous lifeways. Panelists represent museums in Canada, Finland, Greenland, Norway, Sápmi, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The virtual symposium is hosted by the National Nordic Museum in partnership with the American Alliance of Museums, National Museum Directors’ Council (UK), and the International Council of Museums.

Cost: Free

Symposium Participants:

Dr. Chris Breward, Director, National Museums Scotland

Dr. Jago Cooper, Head Curator of the Americas, British Museum

Kajsa Kuoljok, Researcher, Ájtte Swedish Mountain and Sámi Museum

Petra Laiti, Sámi Rights Activist/Content Director, National Museum of Finland

Aaron Leggett, Curator of Indigenous History and Culture, Anchorage Museum

Dr. Amber Lincoln, Curator of the Americas, British Museum

Angela Linn, Senior Collections Manager, Museum of the North, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Dr. Christian Koch Madsen, Deputy Director/Curator, Greenland National Museums and Archives

Dr. Mike O’Rourke, Climate Archaeologist, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center

Members of the Symposium Steering Committee:

Leslie Anne Anderson, Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Programs, National Nordic Museum, United States

Joyce S. Lee, President, IndigoJLD Green + Health; Chair, AAM Environment and Climate Network, United States

Nick Merriman, Chief Executive, Horniman Museum and Gardens, United Kingdom

Morien Rees, Chair, ICOM’s Working Group on Sustainability; Museum Development Advisor, Varanger Museum, Norway

Kate Tallman, Chair, Sustainability and Excellence Awards, AAM Environment and Climate Network, United States