My name is Troy Storfjell, and I am writing you from the town of Tromso in
northern Norway. I have recently become involved with the planning of the
4th World Indigenous Youth Conference which is being hosted by the Saami
people. The Saami are the indigenous inhabitants of Fenno-Scandinavia and
the Kola Penninsula in Russia. Today our land, Sapmi, is divided by the
borders of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Yet we are one people, and
have struggled to maintain our unity, as well as are cultural heritage, our
language and our traditional way of life.
In this struggle we have developed contacts with other indigenous peoples
around the world which have benefitted us greatly. Participation in the
World Council of Indigenous Peoples has not only given us political
strength. We have also learned from the experiences of others and drawn
spiritual strength from the comradery that has developed. So when the Cree
Nation hosted the 1st World Indigenous Youth Conference in Quebec in 1992,
we were happy to attend.
The second Conference was hosted by the Aboriginal peoples of Australia,
and the 3rd by the Shuar Nation in Ecuador. Now it is our turn. The 4th
Conference will be held this summer in Bijje Spidtje (Valadalen in Swedish)
in Sweden, from the 13th to the 20th of June. Delegates from around the
world will gather to discuss important issues facing indigenous youth, meet
and get to know each other, and develop strategies for the future.
I realize that this is rather late notice. Actually, the word has been out
for some time, but apparently only to a limited degree. So I have taken
the liberty of exploring the internet for addresses of prospective
participants and/or people who seem likely to have contacts in various
indigenous communities and who could pass the invitation along.
The conference is specifically for indigenous youth between the ages of 14
and 35. Others, however, are welcome to attend in an observer status. We
encourage delegates to bring with them cultural craftworks, musical
instruments, artworks, and just about anything they can think of. We also
welcome initiative from delegates on ideas for presentations or other
arrangements.
Rather than going into extensive detail on the nature of the Conference, I
will refer you to the Conference's home page. It can be found at:
http://www.itv.se/boreale/wiyceng.htm
For those without Internet access, or those who want more information, the
official e-mail address for the Conference is:
You can also request a faxed information brochure through this address.
Unfortunately, I will be away from my computer until the evening of Monday,
May 13 (Norwegian time) due to family obligations. I will be happy to
answer any questions you might have after my return, but refer you again to
the address above until that time.
I realize that if you haven't heard about the Conference before now, it may
be a little difficult to come. However, I would encourage you to try. In
addition to any funds you may be able to obtain from your own nation or
community, we have several people employed here seeking funds to assist
delegates.
Above all, I ask that you pass this information on, and quickly. I hope we
can have representation from as many different peoples as possible.
Thank you, and Ealat dearvan! (Live well!)
- Troy