Arctic Peoples

by Clive Tesar
An influential audience of Arctic diplomats, Indigenous Leaders, and NGOs was treated to a viewing of the new Saami film “Last Yoik in Saami Forests?”. The film was screened at a meeting of the Arctic Council in Narvik, Norway, in Saami traditional territory. It chronicles clashes between Saami reindeer herders, determined to preserve their traditional economy and culture, and the forestry company that threatens them.

The activities of the Finnish state forestry company in the Inari region of Finland have reached the point where centuries-old Saami reindeer herding activities are at the point of collapse. The logging company operating in the region, supported by the Finnish government, has been cutting down old growth forests that provide critical habitat and forage for reindeer. This is despite an ongoing process to settle Saami land rights in the region.

Local Saami have become so concerned with the situation that they set up a camp, together with some NGOs, to try to put an end to the unsustainable logging. This has resulted in threats and harassment of reindeer herders by forestry company employees, and some other people in the area. Some of this harassment is shown in the film.

Negotiations between the reindeer herders and the forestry company have failed, Pauliina Feodoroff, President of the Saami Council says it is time for the Finnish government to step in.

“ Saami Council appeals to the new Government of Finland to redeem its promises to the Saami People, and to the international community, to take responsibility and solve the forestry conflicts. Saami Council demands that the logging must be immediately terminated and that ceased negotiations are restarted.”