Arctic Peoples

by Clive Tesar

New Swedish legislation gives back to the Saami more control over their traditional occupation of reindeer herding. The law, which came into effect at the beginning of the year, hands over authority for a variety of reindeer herding activities to the Saami Parliament of Sweden. The new authorities include setting of local borders, and some subsidy and compensation programs affecting reindeer herders.

Mattias Åhrén, head of the Human Rights Section of the Saami Council says,

“This is certainly a step in the right direction, increasing Saami self-determination. Still, the issues handed over are not the most critical ones. Swedish authorities still retain control over the issues most pressing to reindeer husbandry.”

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