The conference provided a comprehensive setting on important performances of world-class experts, combined with visceral examples of concrete companies and projects, in particular, from the field of applied arts and film in the Arctic areas. The conference challenged the perceptions of the productivity of culture, future directions of art education, and culture and business opportunities for cooperation. The conference promoted various ways the indigenous ways of making art and participate through art in the social debate and economy. More than one hundred participants attended, and met its expectations very well.

The Finnish Culture and Sport Minister Paavo Arhinmäki's floor in the conference specially agitated Finland's obligation to maintain the Sami culture and language in Finland. Arhinmäki pointed out that there are no inhibitions for ratifying the ILO 169 convention.

Arhinma¨ki"Ratification of the convention makes Finland an international pioneer on indigenous peoples' rights issues," Arhinmäki said.

The producer and the drama professor of Carnegie Mellon University, Don Marinelli, who also spoke at the conference, was positively surprised about the event.

"The conference title 'stories' tells a lot about the nature of this event. I have had a chance here to hear a lot of very personal stories and experiences," Marinelli said.

"In particular, there are a lot of similarities in the debate on indigenous issues in Finland and in the States," he noted.

Institute for Northern culture's applying visual arts professor Glen Coutts expressed his concern on cultural education's condition. He emphasized the significance of economy of applying arts and film.

"Political policy-makers should note that these fields have potential to created something new for the business life," Coutts mentioned.

This aspect was highlighted in the panel discussion also by Lappset Group Marketing Manager Johan Granholm.

"Creative industries play a major role, as companies build a competitive advantage," he said.

"The current education and science policy situation on the other hand challenges us to really reflect on how the cultural education should be in the future, that it supports best the needs of the society," Coutts stated.

Institute for Northern culture's Professor Hannu Kahakorpi emphasized that the event was a demonstration of the Institute for Northern culture's ability to produce a world-class conference that fills the expectations of artistic and scientific measures.

"Over the past three years, the work done in the Institute for Northern culture's creation has really bear fruit. In addition to high-quality presentations and discussions, substantial in this event has been the good collegial spirit created here," Kahakorpi mentioned.

Besides Lapland University Consortium two institutes, the Lapland Institute for Tourism Research and Education, and Institute for Northern culture was were working for the conference side by side.

"Good connections with local companies are common aspects for both institutes," Kahakorpi stated.

The Lapland Institute for Tourism Research and Education's Development Manager Eila Linna said that the conference brought up new and fresh ideas.

"The speakers complemented each other and the program worked very well together. In the event also connected the indigenous peoples' and institutions' common ground," Linna said.