Reindeer Herders’ annual General Meeting – “Reindeer Parliament”

The Reindeer parliament is the annual General meeting of the Reindeer Herders’ Association. In the meeting, decisions are made by the reindeer herding cooperatives that are represented by their chiefs. The power is divided in relation to the amount of reindeer in each cooperative.

The first Reindeer parliament was organised in 1948. Nowadays, it is a two-day event and the highlight of the year. It is traditionally held in the first Monday and Tuesday of June in Rovaniemi. Parliament gathers together around 350-450 participants. They are both reindeer herders, but also officials from the government organisations, researchers, politicians and others interested in reindeer herding.

The program of the first day includes greetings from the government organisations and lectures from specialists. The theme is related to something topical. The speeches are published in Reindeer herder –magazine. The second day focuses on the finances and operational reports of Reindeer Herders’ Association and approving them.

Themes of the Reindeer Parliament

2019 Topical Issues related to the Largest Permissible Numbers of Living Reindeer

2018 70 year Celebration

2017 Reindeer Meat and Reindeer as  a Pull Factor in Tourism

2016 Reindeer – Newest New

2015 Communality

2014 Possibilities and the Future

2013 Land Usage

2012 Wellbeing

2011 Media

2010 Large Carnivores

2009 Climate Change

2008 60 year Celebration

2007 Reindeer Meat

2006 General Overview on Reindeer Herding

2005 Viability

2004 Viability

2003 Future Forum