ABSTRACT
Indigenous peoples have deep connections to the land, and this is fundamental to their identities, cultures and ways of life; for Indigenous peoples, land and natural resources are viewed as sacred gifts that have been passed down from their ancestors. The interplay between recognition of Indigenous rights, such as Sámi territorial rights, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is essential for achieving sustainable development. The SDGs, at least in text, recognise the importance of Indigenous rights, knowledge and participation in decision-making processes. The aim of this concluding chapter is to highlight progress and challenges in the three Scandinavian states in securing rights of the Indigenous Sámi people in a broader context. This concluding chapter has been written with reference to other chapters of this book, and material has been analysed under following correlated themes: (1) the increased significance of human rights law, (2) competing land and water uses within Sámi territories and (3) Sámi invisibility within the larger society.
