DN Debate: 'The Sámi History is Also Sweden's History'

The history of the Sámi people is intrinsically linked to Sweden's own narrative, yet their experiences have often been marginalized. As the UN's International Day of Indigenous Peoples approaches on August 9, the Truth Commission for the Sámi People is set to deliver its final report, demanding that Sweden confront the consequences of its past and present policies.

The commission has meticulously gathered 300 oral and written testimonies from Sámi individuals, offering a profound and often painful glimpse into how Swedish state actions have impacted their lives. These accounts highlight three recurring themes: the suppression of the Sámi language, the encroachment on lands essential for reindeer herding and traditional livelihoods, and significant legal setbacks stemming from a lack of understanding by authorities regarding Sámi rights and culture.

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Sometimes you were pushed into a dark closet that had no heat in the winter. You had to sit there and they locked the door.

One elderly man recounted harrowing experiences in a boarding school, where he was punished for speaking his native Ume Sámi, sometimes confined to unheated closets during winter. Another woman emphasized the critical importance of their ancestral lands, stating, "If we don't have the lands, we have nothing in the long run." She underscored that reindeer herding, language, and traditional knowledge are all interconnected and dependent on these territories.

Despite the hardships, the testimonies also speak to the resilience and strength within the Sámi community. They find power in intergenerational connections, cultural practices like reindeer herding, language preservation, traditional crafts, and the deeply significant practice of "joik" (a traditional Sámi form of singing). These elements are vital for maintaining their cultural identity and ensuring its continuation for future generations.

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The most important thing is that we keep the lands. If we don't have the lands, we have nothing in the long run. Reindeer herding is what I think of first, all culture is connected to it and the lands and traditional knowledge. Everything is connected to the lands.