INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY IMPACTS OF LARGE CORPORATIONS IN ARCTIC COMMUNITIES: SPECIFIC FOCUS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE SWEDISH SAMI

Abstract

In recent decades more global attention has focused on the Arctic. This can be seen in the both the development of industries as well as the expansion of the Arctic Council’s membership.  Countries with at least some part located above the Arctic Circle are; Norway, Greenland, Canada, United States, Russia, Finland, and Sweden. The focus on the indigenous people, specifically the Sami of Sweden, presents a good case for assessing impacts of development on northern, Arctic, communities. Population density in Sweden is recorded as 21.4 people per square kilometer, with a higher population density in southern Sweden. The majority of the Sami people live in small to medium-sized communities, in remote regions, resulting in a disconnect with the modern world. One industry that is already present in the Swedish Arctic is mining, especially for ore and carbon. However, now other industries, including multinational enterprises (MNE’s), such as Facebook, which recently built a new five acre data center near the Arctic Circle, are beginning to realize the opportunities the Arctic region and its environment have to offer. The question of how sustainable business can be conducted in the Arctic will be answered by analyzing the impacts on the Sami communities and how people react and should react to these changes within their communities. This study analyzed current events through literature review and interviews of representatives from the impacted Arctic regions. The increased development has resulted in both negative and positive impacts such as reduction of land use, but increased employment opportunities.