Norwegian and U.S. scientists and officials focused on celebrating the life of the famous Norwegian explorer Helge Instad by exploring what is coming in the Arctic's future at a weekend symposium.

The Helge Ingstad Memorial Symposium on Arctic Change ran Friday and Saturday at UAF and included a myriad of speakers from Norway, the United States, and other arctic nations. Though the presentations were on a wide-array of subjects, from science to society, they shared a common theme -- the Arctic.

On Sunday, a smaller group flew to Anaktuvuk Pass for the portion of the symposium centered on Ingstad's life.

"Helge Ingstad was very much moved by arctic issues," said Norwegian Ambassador Knut Vollebaek, one of the event's planners. "We thought in his spirit, it would be appropriate for the ceremony to look back, but also look forward to what we can do for our future."

Both in Anaktuvuk and Fairbanks, presenters emphasized the impact of arctic change on the indigenous cultures. Many of the Norwegian scientists focused on fishing. Several made presentations about the global trade side of fishing, as well as a more purely biological approach to the fish populations.

Other subjects included permafrost and Norway's role in the energy market.

Alaska scientists touched on many of the same subjects and also the importance of satellite technology and a heightened ability to track the change that is occurring.

Almost all of the presentations touched on both the scientific and social ramifications of arctic change.

Over 150 individuals from around the world attended the first part of the symposium, which looked at the Arctic's future. Over the course of those two days, presenters shared information about Norwegian and Nunamiut culture, the upcoming International Polar Year, Helge Ingstad, arctic climate change, and related fields.

The opening ceremony included remarks from Norwegian Consul General Are-Jostein Norheim, Chancellor Steve Jones, Vice Chancellor of Research Buck Sharpton and John Walsh, director of UAF's Center for Global Change and Arctic System Research. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski delivered recorded remarks.

Walsh emphasized the symposium was somewhat of a kick-off to the International Polar Year. While the International Polar Year doesn't officially begin until March, Walsh said the preparations must begin now -- in fact, many already have -- if the Arctic is to receive the attention that it deserves.

The International Polar Year, which is declared once every 50 years, will run from March 2007 to March 2009.

"One of the benefits of the symposium is the commitment to integrate science and social issues," said Terry Chapin, a UAF biologist. "The history of polar science has ignored social issues- it is launching the polar year the way it should be launched. We can't afford to wait another 50 years until the Polar Year comes again. It is our last chance to do it."

Throughout the weekend, Benedicte Ingstad, daughter of the celebrated explorer, echoed that sentiment. She and her son, Eric Ingstad Sanberg, represented the Ingstad family at the symposium, and were an important part of the naming ceremony.

At the conclusion of the nine months Ingstad spent living with the Nunamiut people of Anaktuvuk, he was symbolically given a mountain in the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. In April 2006, five years after his death, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names approved naming the mountain after him. Plans for the ceremony began then.

The Norwegian Embassy arranged three charter flights -- each full with a waiting list -- to Anaktuvuk pass for the naming ceremony. Residents of Anaktuvuk Pass greeted symposium participants as they deplaned, and joined them for the remainder of the day's events.

Anaktuvuk Pass Mayor George Paneak, son of the first man to welcome Ingstad, spoke at both the welcoming ceremony and the dedication. During both speeches, he shared stories and memories of the explorer's visit, and talked about the importance of Ingstad's work in documenting culture.

At the naming ceremony, singers and flutists performed Norwegian and Nunamiut music, and village elders recited a prayer of dedication before Paneak unveiled a plaque commemorating Ingstad.

Other speakers during the day included Ingstad's daughter and grandson, a representative from the North Slope Borough and Vollebaek. Ingstad, Sandberg, and Vollbaek presented the Nunamiut people with newly restored photos of the village taken by the explorer.

Symposium participants also had a number of opportunities to learn about Nunamiut culture. Residents prepared a native feast for lunch, displayed souvenirs and cultural exhibits, and performed Eskimo dancing.

Much of the day mixed traditional native culture with the increasingly prevalent American culture. Village residents served caribou meat, homemade doughnuts, spaghetti and birthday cake. The cultural exhibits on display during lunch included photos, interviews, and facts about what life was like when Ingstad visited and life as it is today.