International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR), hosted a Mapping Workshop in Kautokeino/Guovdageaidnu, Norway, on 28-30 January 2026, for reindeer herders organized by the GEF funded UNEP project Reindeer Herding and Resilience in partnership with the Woodwell Climate Research Center. 19 students applied to the course to make reindeer herders maps to support reindeer husbandry, land-use planning, and climate resilience.
Held on the premises of the Sámi University of Applied Sciences, the workshop brought together Sámi reindeer herders, youth, and researchers to explore how digital mapping tools can support reindeer husbandry, document environmental change, and strengthen dialogue with decision-makers. Through a combination of presentations, hands-on exercises, and group discussions, participants worked directly with maps reflecting their own grazing areas, migration routes, and lived experiences on the land.
Over three intensive days, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of geospatial mapping using ArcGIS Online and StoryMaps. The programme covered:
- Mapping reindeer migration routes, grazing areas, and key seasonal sites
- Integrating GPS data, imagery, and local observations
- Exploring how maps can communicate impacts from land-use change, infrastructure, and changing snow and ice conditions
- Developing StoryMaps that combine maps, text, and visuals to tell stories
A strong emphasis was placed on Indigenous knowledge, ethical map use, and data sovereignty, ensuring that participants retained control over how their knowledge and maps are shared. Participants highlighted the value of the practical approach, learning by doing, and working collaboratively. Many noted that mapping and StoryMaps offer new ways to make reindeer herding realities more visible and easier to communicate.
The Mapping Workshop in Kautokeino marks an important step in the project’s ongoing work to strengthen community-based monitoring, participatory mapping, and engagement in the reindeer herding regions. Building on the outcomes of this workshop, the project plans to support follow-up activities, including advanced GIS training and further development of StoryMaps. By combining Indigenous knowledge and digital tools, the Reindeer Herding and Resilience project continues to support reindeer herders in navigating a rapidly changing Arctic.
