Mechanisms for the Positive Transformation of the Arctic Indigenous Peoples from Traditional Nomadic Reindeer Herders to a More Settled Lifestyle

Traditionally, the Arctic small-numbered indigenous peoples (SNIP) were predominantly nomadic reindeer herders. Some SNIP have maintained their nomadic lifestyles; however, fragmentation, degradation, and loss of grazing lands have forced many SNIP to diversify their livelihoods and modify their lifestyles. These changes require a balance between the preservation of the traditional and the evolving new, more modern lifestyles. Finding a positive balance for these transformations must consider the former nomadic SNIP who abandoned reindeer production for a sedentary lifestyle. This chapter discusses the mechanisms for the positive transformation of the Arctic SNIP from traditional nomadic reindeer herders to a more sedentary lifestyle.