There are around 10,000 Sami in Finland, a country of 5.5 million, with a third of whom those still living in the traditional Sami homeland areas. Since 1996 they have been represented by the Samediggi, a constitutionally recognised consultative body.
Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week:
With the triumph of the right, Finland’s Sámi people face bleak future
This article highlighting the concerns of Finland’s Sámi people following the victory of conservative and far-right parties in the 2023 Finnish elections was published in El País on May 17.
After conservative and far-right parties won the 2023 Finnish elections, the original inhabitants of the land fear that they have now lost hope for more self-governance, at a time when the climate emergency threatens their livelihoods
Finland’s Debate Over Indigenous Identity and Rights Turns Ugly. Facing increasing pressure from development, Sámi leaders say their right to self-determination is being hijacked to stymie progress on land rights. In Finland, a controversial new bill would redefine.
This story was produced with the funding support of the Pulitzer Center. Janne Hirvasvuopio got his first Valentine’s Day card early this year. But the message that came through his front door’s mail slot was anything but loving. “I’ve murdered before,” the back of the card read. “Be quiet.” What attracted this hate to Hirvasvuopio […]