Struggle for the Sámi Homeland

”I'm trying to get up that great big hill of hope” Remembering the echo of our last nights’ singing of the 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?”, on May 29th 2015, I feel driven to find out what the Sámi's are missing here in Finnish society. From my own perspective, I have always considered the Sámi people important for allowing Finnish people to settle peacefully on this continent. However, during this excursion to Kevo I have begun to reflect on our culture on a more global level.

”I try all the time in this institution” The meaning of culture is generally defined from the perspective of the majority, in western countries, the white man’s idea and understanding of a cultures’ content. Differing from this, Sámi culture (and indigenous culture in general) tends to affect things on a lot wider level and their culture can be seen in almost everything they do. During our course, I have begun to understand how much a society's culture influences social- and health policies and the diverging impact it has on social sustainability globally. Globally, there’s likeness in the socio-economic issues we all struggle with today, however the social problems they cause vary greatly in scale. For example, there’s a stark contrast between the way Sámi people are treated in Russia, and the way they are treated in Nordic countries. As I felt sadness because of our last day together, the expedition headed to the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos, Inari.

”What's going on” For recognizing the issues of indigenous people here in Finland, and Scandinavia in general, we had the possibility to hear about the work of the Sámi parliament. Suddenly, it became clear that although the Sámi are mentioned in the Finnish constitution (1086/2003), Sámi's are struggling to sustain their cultural identity in their own homeland because of the colonizers’ governance, politics, and control over natural resources. For example, there are around 10,000 Sámi people living in Finland, however, 70% of Sámi youngsters nowadays live outside of the Sámi Home Region due to the fact that they have to move far away to get an education. On matters concerning the Sámi as indigenous people, the Finnish government has an obligation to consult Sámi’s and the Sámi Parliament, however this rarely has any influence on governmental decisions. In 2007, the UN-countries accepted the ILO-declaration No.169, however the Finnish parliament hasn't been able to legally ratify it yet. Overall, Sámi’s are being marginalized even though their rights are acknowledged in the constitution.

I was very surprised by their holistic approach to their identification, which is one of the key elements of being officially recognized as an indigenous person. Their identity as a divergent people manifests itself in the traditions of their language, art and professions which are the vital links into their culture and self-understanding. I am also impressed by their unanimous cultural strength in protecting their wellbeing. Although individually  it is a continuous work for making a living in Lapland, they are able to keep on living strong as a whole community. That is something to learn from in this lonely and individual-based western society. While their lands are being used unsustainably for profit by colonizers, it’s becoming a necessity for the preservation of the Sámi culture to actively promote the preservation of the Sámi languages, despite their residence outside Sámi Homeland. Because of our history together with the Sámi people, one could even debate we owe it to them to give better support to for example keeping the Sámi language alive, than we currently are. If you are interested to share the experience, please visit Sida.

What about my own self-understanding? Because of the people I met, my self-understanding as a social worker focuses more on being courageous and cherishing of people. I am grateful for all of you, who made it possible to learn, about different discourses and solutions to social issues in your homeland. I almost feel overwhelmed by this opportunity for broadening my horizons the International Summer School 2015 gave me. 

”And I say Hey!” Thank you each and every one of you. And, while feeling a little blue, it is time for farewells. Cherish hope! Be courageous Social Workers! I miss you all.

Heidi Hellsten, University of Lapland, Finland