People and Culture

The Arctic is not only a place of ice and extreme environments. It is home to rich cultures, resilient communities, and deep‑rooted traditions that have developed over thousands of years in close connection with the land, the climate, and the natural world.

Across the Arctic, Indigenous peoples have built ways of life uniquely adapted to seasonal cycles, long winters, and challenging landscapes. Their knowledge systems, languages, and cultural practices reflect a deep understanding of the environment and continue to play a vital role in Arctic societies today. Alongside these living cultures, the Arctic is also home to a rich tradition of stories, myths, and folklore that express how people have interpreted nature, darkness, light, and survival in the North.

In this section, you can find educational material exploring the people and cultures of the Arctic through profiles of Indigenous communities and examples of traditional beliefs and folklore. From Arctic Indigenous peoples to Nordic winter traditions, these topics highlight the cultural diversity, creativity, and resilience that define human life in the Arctic.

Education material in slideshow format with information text about the people in the arctic and their culture.

Chukchi - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Chukchi - Indigenous People of the Arctic

The Chukchi people are an indigenous group inhabiting the northeasternmost part of Siberia, in the Chukotka Autonomous District of Russia traditionally divided into two ethnographic groups: the Reindeer Chukchi (RC) and the Maritime Chukchi (MC).

Enets - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Enets - Indigenous People of the Arctic

The Enets are one of the smallest Indigenous peoples of the Russian North. They live in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, mainly along the lower eastern bank of the Yenisei River in the Taimyr Dolgano-Nenets District.

Evenks - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Evenks - Indigenous People of the Arctic

Evenks, formerly known as Tungus, are a Tungus-Manchu people living across Siberia, Russia, Northeast China, and Mongolia. They have settled in small groups over a vast area stretching from the Urals to the Pacific and from the Arctic Ocean to the Mongolian steppes.

Evens - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Evens - Indigenous People of the Arctic

The Evens are a Siberian Tungusic ethnic group and one of Russia's indigenous minorities. They primarily live in the North-East and Far East of Russia.

Inuit Chukotka - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Inuit Chukotka - Indigenous People of the Arctic

A group of related peoples, Inuit have settled widely along the Arctic coast of the US (Alaska) and Canada, in Greenland (Denmark) and along the southeast coast of the Chukotka Peninsula (Russia).

Khanty - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Khanty - Indigenous People of the Arctic

The Khanty are an Indigenous people of Western Siberia traditionally living in the Ob-Irtysh river basin, from southern rivers regions to the Arctic coast.

Mansi - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Mansi - Indigenous People of the Arctic

The Mansi also known as the Voguls are an Indigenous Finno-Ugric people of the Trans-Urals, traditionally inhabiting a vast area from the Ural Mountains to the Ob River.

Nenets - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Nenets - Indigenous People of the Arctic

The Nenets, an indigenous and small-numbered people of the Russian North, are culturally and linguistically divided into two distinct communities: the Tundra Nenets and the Forest Nenets.

Sámi - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Sámi - Indigenous People of the Arctic

The Sámi peoples (saami) or Sápmi, are an indigenous group inhabiting the northern regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and parts of Russia (Kola Peninsula). With a rich cultural heritage and a deep connection to the Arctic landscape, the Sámi have thrived in one of the world's harshest environments for centuries.

Veps - Indigenous People of the ArcticZIP

Veps - Indigenous People of the Arctic

The Veps (Vepsians), a Balto-Finnic people, inhabit the region between Lake Ladoga, Lake Onego, and Lake Beloye, currently divided among the Republic of Karelia, Leningrad region, and Vologda region.

The thirteen Icelandic Yule LadsZIP

The thirteen Icelandic Yule Lads

Unlike most other countries that only have one Santa Claus, Iceland has thirteen. They are called Jólasveinar (Yule Lads) and take turns visiting our children the 13 nights leading up to Christmas Eve.

Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote-Clod)ZIP

Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote-Clod)

Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote-Clod) is the first Yule Lad who comes to town on the night before the 12th of December and also the first to depart for home on the 25th of December.

Giljagaur (Gully Gawk)ZIP

Giljagaur (Gully Gawk)

Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) is the second Yule Lad who comes to town on the night before the 13th of December and departs for home on the 26th of December.

Stúfur (Stubby)ZIP

Stúfur (Stubby)

Stúfur (Stubby) is the third Yule Lad who comes to town on the night before the 14th December and departs for home on the 27th of December.

Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker)ZIP

Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker)

Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker) is the fourth Yule Lad who comes to town on the night before the 15th of December and departs for home on the 28th of December.

Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper)ZIP

Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper)

Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper) is the fifth Yule Lad who comes to town on the night before the 16th of December and departs for home on the 29th of December.

Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker)ZIP

Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker)

Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker) is the sixth Yule Lad who comes to town on the night before the 17th of December and departs for home on the 30th of December.

Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer)ZIP

Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer)

Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer) is the seventh Yule Lad who comes to town on the night before the 18th of December and departs for home on the 31st of December.

Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler)ZIP

Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler)

Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler) is the eight Yule Lad who comes to town on the night before the 19th of December and departs for home on the 1st of January.

Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper)ZIP

Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper)

Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) is the ninth Yule Lad who comes to town on the night before the 20th of December and departs for home on the 2nd of January.

×