Concept

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In October 2024, the film and event series “Arctic Voices” opens a platform for Indigenous voices and stories from Sápmi and the Arctic regions of Northern Europe, Kalaallit Nunaat / Greenland, Canada, Alaska and Russia in Bern. We are putting together a rich programme of film screenings, panel discussions, two workshops and an exhibition. Arctic Voices focuses on issues such as Indigenous (self-) representations with a focus on film and media, coming to terms with the past and the present, resistance and activism for Indigenous rights as well as the impact of the climate crisis and resource extraction on circumpolar communities and environments.

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As part of a series of events (concerts, films, discussions, workshops, an exhibition) in October 2024, we will not only watch films together, but actively discuss the series' themes and content. Arctic voices strives to create a platform for exchange and discussions, to critically think about representations, to learn about the diverse contemporary realities, histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples, as well as to foster self-reflection in order to explore connections with Switzerland, global interdependencies and questions of ecology, the climate crisis and (green) colonialism.

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Topics

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1: Voices and Images

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In Switzerland, as it might be the case elsewhere, the ideas and images of Indigenous peoples are strongly influenced by Western medial and pop-cultural representations. There are for example the books by Karl May or Frederica de Cesco, well-known Swiss songs by Mani Matter or Gölä, the comic series Yakari or the blockbuster Avatar by James Cameron - representations that are often very simplistic, stereotyping, exoticising and romanticising. Such depictions have only little to do with the diverse and contemporary realities of Indigenous peoples in the world. The thematic area "Voices and Images" invites the audience to critically question their own images and ideas about Indigenous peoples. We open up historical and current perspectives on Indigenous (self-) representations as well as on current developments in the field of Indigenous media productions.

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What would an Arctic Voices series be without paying attention to close listening, to voices, vocals and song? This thematic area also takes into account certain Indigenous oral and vocal traditions such as Sámi joik or throat singing. […]

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2: Indigenous Resistance and Ecology

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The second thematic area deals with the topics of indigenous resistance and activism in the circumpolar regions as well as the relationships between peoples and their environment. Integrated worldviews of Indigenous communities will be addressed, as well as continuities of resistance against colonial oppression in the past and present. We take a critical look at the so-called "green energy transition" and its social, legal and ecological impact on Indigenous communities.

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3: Dealing with the past in the present

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The long history of injustices against Indigenous peoples and their effects to this day have been investigated in some countries by so-called "Truth and Reconciliation Commissions". Who is involved in these processes and how they are implemented is often the subject of debate and often accompanied by critical voices. This thematic series looks at how states deal with the recognition of historical injustices and attempts to establish links to Swiss examples such as the coming to terms with the “Compulsory Social Measures and Placements”. A central question here is how the past and history can be negotiated in today's societies.