Sámi parliament presents 13 demands to state to advance reconciliation

The Sámi Parliament has submitted a 13-point list of proposals to the Finnish state, calling for immediate action based on the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Yle reports. The measures aim to strengthen Sámi rights, preserve traditional livelihoods, and ensure the survival of Sámi communities on their ancestral lands.

Key demands include enacting a separate law for Sámi reindeer herding, recognizing Sámi fishing rights in national legislation, and compensating losses caused by the salmon fishing ban on the Teno River. The parliament also urges the state to formally acknowledge the Sámi people’s time-honored rights to their traditional lands and waters.

To safeguard the future of Sámi culture, the proposals emphasize securing opportunities for young Sámi to remain in their homeland. This includes guaranteeing Sámi language education for all Sámi children and youth, establishing permanent funding for Sámi language instruction for adults, and creating a digital Sámi school for distance learning. Psychosocial support services tailored to Sámi communities should also be made permanent, the parliament states.

Additional measures call for the protection of remaining old-growth forests in the Sámi homeland, the establishment of a Sámi livelihood and climate fund, and the integration of Sámi perspectives into general healthcare and social services. The parliament further proposes creating a dedicated unit within the Prime Minister’s Office to coordinate Sámi affairs, led by a state secretary appointed in cooperation with the Sámi Parliament and the Skolt village assembly.

The Sámi Parliament frames these steps as essential for building reconciliation between the Sámi people and the state, ensuring that Sámi regions remain vibrant and inhabited for generations to come.