Deconstructing the indigenous in tourism. The production of indigeneity in tourism-oriented labelling and handicraft/souvenir development in Northern Europe

Abstract

In literature on tourism in northern or 'Arctic' areas and on regions and places in northern areas, terms such as 'indigenous' and 'nonindigenous' are often used to distinguish people and places from each other. The aim of this paper is to deconstruct the 'indigenous'/'nonindigenous' categories as well as the geographical categories to which they are linked, using examples from tourism in northern Fennoscandia and northwest Russia, selected as areas with circumstances that vary greatly both locally and regionally. Specific focus is on the construction of labels and restrictions of use, particularly regarding handicrafts/ souvenirs as a specific object of indigeneity to separate it from other objects. The study reviews the processes in tourism for constructing, labelling, and valuingand thereby also exerting power uponspecific conceptions, and thereby also on the contesting of such processes amongst broader, but often unacknowledged, local groups.

Evolving Host Socio-Demographical Determinants Towards Himalayan Handicraft Industry

“…Handicraft represents the 'indegeneity' related to nature or tradition. Handicraft tourism gives a representation to locals and makes it important marker of identity for indigenous and non-indigenous actors (Keskitalo et al, 2021).…”

Ideas de negocio para reactivar el turismo en pandemia en “La Encantada”, Chulucanas, Perú

“…A pesar de que hay personas que creen que el arte folclórico es desarrollado por personas sin educación, abuelos y sectores desfavorecidos, se observa que la técnica utilizada y los diseños realizados tienen un objetivo claro y es plasmar las expresiones culturales locales, tratando de perpetuar las costumbres y parte de la identidad de los que la realizan (Macdowell & Avery, 2006). Las artesanías pueden estar relacionadas con las comunidades indígenas (Keskitalo et al, 2021) y con utensilios que fueron utilizados en culturas prehispánicas como la cultura Vicus, en el norte de Perú.…”

20 years of research on Arctic and Indigenous cultures in Nordic tourism: a review and future research agenda

“…The recognition of the experiences and services provided by indigenous entrepreneurs in tourism as "real Sámi" has been part of the development in Nordic Arctic (Müller & Pettersson, 2001). It has resulted in an effort to protect Sámi handicrafts and culture by Sámi Duodji association granting a specific certification to the providers of traditional form, use of materials and methods to signify Saminess of these products (Schilar & Keskitalo, 2018), but also unintentionally contributing to the process of "othering" and exotifying the Sámi culture (Keskitalo et al, 2019;Keskitalo & Schilar, 2017). Furthermore, a set of ethical guidelines has been created by the Finnish Sámi Parliament in order to support responsible and respectful use of Sámi cultural elements in tourism.…”

“…In theory, there is support for indigenous recognition and multiculturalism, but in practice, the continuity of state powers are sustained in these remote territories (Vladimirova, 2017). Thus, the instigation of formal mechanisms for the active participation of both Sámi and Nenets in tourism activities in order to secure control over tourism products have failed to be realised (Heldt-Cassel & Pashkevich, 2018; Keskitalo et al, 2019). Typically, indigenous cultural expression is articulated through popular representations such as ethnic festivals or events based on folklore traditions, including sports, theatre plays or dance performances, which facilitate the official framing of indigenous culture by central authorities (Vladimirova, 2017).…”