Sami rights and livelihood
There is urgency for the Sami voice to be heard, and their unique culture to be recognized
In the 1928 Reindeer Husbandry Act the Sami population was divided into two specializations, those who were settled working as hunters, and those who were reindeer keepers living as nomads, following the paths of the reindeer.
The Act said that only the Sami who were reindeer herders could belong to a Sami village (“sameby”) with its automatic rights to the use of the grazing area for the reindeer, and special rights to fishing and hunting.
Since the Sami have used the land since ancient times they have earned the right to use the land, their so called “immemorial rights”. However the right to winter pasture outside the reindeer grazing mountains is a matter of controversy.
“The oldest culture of Sweden, the Sami culture, will, unless the Swedish law is changed, become extinct within one generation”
/ wrote five professors in history, culture and anthropology in an open letter in Dagens Nyheter (the main national news paper in Sweden), 23rd of Oct. ‘05.
In court after court landowners are forcing the Sami away from their winter grazing land, with the argument that the modern reindeer heritage differ so much from the past that the concept immemorial no longer is legitimate.
The samebys now face the option of relinquishing the rights to which they feel they are entitled or to fight for them in higher courts with an imminent risk of bankruptcy.
Opportunties
Since the 1500s, the Sami culture has never been as vital as it is today. The new generation of Sami is proud of their heritage; consequently Sami culture is rapidly growing and cultural events and festivals have become very popular amongst Sami youth.
Furthermore, culture and heritage are starting to be seen as great resources, both economically and for social growth, hence the interest to preserve the Sami cultural heritage is increasing, specifically within the cultural tourist industry.
