[IUFRO Div 6] Reminder Invitation: Contested Forests Talks – Ontological Conflict over Arctic Forests in Indigenous Sámi Territories 17 April

Dear IUFRO D6 colleagues, This is a kind reminder of the upcoming session in the IUFRO Research Group 6.05.00 “Forest Conflict Management” – Contested Forests Talks series. We are also pleased to share that we have indeed confirmed a second interesting contribution to the session. Ontological Conflict over Arctic Forests in the Indigenous Sámi Territories 🗓 Date: 17 April 2026 ⏰ Time: 11.00 UTC (to convert the time within your time zone, please use the Time Converter at the event page) 📍 Online event: Zoom (please register to receive the Zoom link) 🌐 Event page & registration: https://www.iufro.org/events/iufro-rg-60500-contested-forests-talks-ontolog… In this session, Doctoral Researcher Anna Ott will explore how different ways of knowing, relating to, and using Arctic forests come into tension in the Indigenous Sámi homeland (Sápmi). Anna Ott is currently finalizing her doctoral thesis at the University of Lapland, Finland. Her dissertation examines the transformative potential of land use politics and practices of the Indigenous Sámi people. More specifically, her research investigates how land use in Northern Finland is shaped by ontological conflict, and how Sámi political practices support transitions toward alternative ways of living in and with the land. In her presentation, she will focus on ontological conflicts over forests involving Sámi reindeer herders, the Finnish state, and private forest owners, and will discuss Rights of Nature as one potential approach to mitigating environmental conflicts in the Arctic Sámi territories. In addition to this talk, we are delighted to welcome Inka Musta, CEO of Luontoa and Member of the Executive Board of the Sámi Parliament, as a second speaker. Inka Musta has extensive experience in strategic leadership in nature and sustainability work, as well as in managing stakeholder relationships and sustainability risks. In her role as a member of the Sámi Parliament—the supreme political body of the Indigenous Sámi in Finland—she represents Sámi perspectives in both national and international contexts. Her contribution will bring valuable practical and political insights into current forest-related conflicts and governance challenges in Sámi territories. This event is part of a broader effort within RG 6.05.00 to create a global platform for discussing forest-related conflicts, their cultural and political dimensions, and pathways toward more just and sustainable forest futures. The session lasts one hour and begins with a 20‑minute guest presentation, followed by an open discussion. We warmly welcome you to join us, listen, and take part in the discussion! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Kind regards, Tuulikki Halla & Rebecca Ford Coordinator & Deputy Coordinator, IUFRO RG 6.05.00 Forest Conflict Management _____________________________________ Tuulikki Halla Projektitutkija | Project Researcher Itä-Suomen yliopisto | University of Eastern Finland Luonnontieteiden, metsätieteiden ja tekniikan tdk | Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology Luonnontieteiden, metsätieteiden ja tekniikan tohtoriohjelma | Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology UNITE Forest-Human-Machine Interplay | Suomen Akatemian Tieteen lippulaiva https://uniteflagship.fi Latest articles Experiencing forests as professionals: meanings and tensions in sustainability transitions https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2026.103731 Workshop: Stories of the Understory https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.11.e164067 +358 (0)40 7373 904 tuulikki.halla(at)uef.fi https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuulikkihalla _____________________________________