reindeerherding

Reindeer herding is a traditional form of pastoralism in Arctic and subarctic regions, in which communities manage herds of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) for meat, milk, hides, transport, and cultural practice. It is closely tied to Indigenous livelihoods in parts of northern Europe, Russia, North America, and Greenland, with the Sámi of the Nordic Arctic among the most well-known practitioners.

Geographic and social organization varies by region. In Sápmi (the Sámi homeland spanning northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and parts of Russia), herding is organized around siidas, cooperative family groups that own and move herds together. In Russia’s tundra and taiga, various Indigenous peoples, including Nenets and Evenki, practice nomadic or semi-nomadic herding, guiding seasonal migrations across vast rangelands. In North America, reindeer herding occurs among Alaska Native communities and some Canadian groups, often integrated with subsistence lifestyles and local economies.

Practices and seasonal cycles generally follow forage availability. Reindeer graze on lichen-rich pastures in winter and migrate to summer ranges with better forage. Herders use dogs, snowmobiles, and traditional methods to guide migrations, protect herds, and manage breeding and calving. Herd size, fencing, and corrals may vary, with some communities maintaining long-standing migratory routes and others using more settled arrangements during parts of the year.

Economic and cultural significance remains central: meat and by-products support diets and trade, while hides, antlers, and milk products have traditional and commercial value. Reindeer herding also underpins language, rituals, and identity for many Arctic peoples. Contemporary challenges include climate change, land and water rights, market pressures, and policy changes affecting mobility and pastures.