A Sámi woman with a reindeer.
Photo: Anna Öhlund/imagebank.sweden.se
Forced Assimilation and Displacement
The colonizing powers made laws that defined who was “real” Sámi, privileging herders over those who farmed, fished, or hunted for sustenance. The consequences of these laws continue to be felt in courtrooms and living rooms today.
In recent centuries, Sámi have been treated by colonizing powers in a similar way to the Indigenous peoples of North America (and elsewhere in the world). This included being photographed and measured in an attempt to biologically separate people; having traditional religious practices treated as heretical; having children separated from their parents and sent to residential schools where they were not allowed to speak their native languages or wear traditional clothing; and experiencing significant discrimination in many forms. Although the most egregious elements of these discriminatory practices are today largely abolished, Sámi continue to face discrimination in both social and legal settings.
Many Sámi families, especially those who were not reindeer herders, chose to hide their Indigenous identity. This occurred in Sápmi, in the southern and more urban parts of the nations Sápmi exists within, and in the countries where these families and their descendants immigrated. While it is easy to understand how assimilation was attractive—and in many cases, felt necessary—this has left many Sámi descendants disconnected from their ancestral past.
Resilience in Resistance
The Sámi continue to resist exploitation and erasure in creative ways, individually and collectively. The Sámi American awakening is still a small footnote in a very long history, but each day is a victory for Sámi resilience.
TREKWAYS OF THE WIND
— Nils-Aslak Valkeapää
How I respect
the old Sami life
That was true love of nature
where nothing was wasted
where humans were part of nature
Not until now have they realized
that the people who lived here
ten thousand years ago
melted to become the Sami
That is a long time
The wanderings of the Egyptian Pharaohs
The riches of the Roman empire
The glory of the Greek culture
short moments if you compare
. . .
How I respect the ancient Sami way
How everything was utilized
everything that could be used
from reindeer pelts coats shoes sinews for thread
boil fry split dry
If you were hungry you were
but no one should mention starvation
In this affluent world
every other child is starving
and one third
eat two thirds
of the world’s food
