Liberating Sápmi (2020)
Gabriel Kuhn

   This is a book about the political history of Sápmi (the northernmost region of Europe) and the movement for Sámi people liberation.

   It's in two parts. The introduction describes briefly the specificities of the indigenous Sámi culture, and then relates a complete history of the region, from the early history to the process of the brutal colonization by the europeans - namely Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia -, the early resistance and the contemporary issues still shaping this part of the World.

   The introduction is extremely informative despite being relatively short. It gives in a digestible manner an overview of more than 400 years of hardships, a picture depicted as a "soft genocide, based on hidden but effective tools employed by the Swedish state to steal our land, water, language, religion, identity, and the possibility to pursue our traditional livelihoods" (quote in the introduction by Victoria Harnesk, from the Sámi Association in Stockholm). It describes the institutional changes that occurred during the 20th century, most notably the formation of the Sámi council, and then later the Sámi parliaments of their respective countries.

   The introduction insists on the Sámi organization and resistance to the european States, in all its diversity: it talks for example at large about the Áltá conflict (about a dam project in norwegian Sápmi) that led to years of protests, hunger strikes, justice struggles - at it's culmination, even a bridge was bombed, making no casualties.

   Gabriel Kuhn insists as well on renewed forms of activism in Sápmi, more anchored in a cultural approach to resistance. Through examples like artistic projects, self-published magazines, music festivals, re-appropriation of their language, the book tells the story of the slow (and incomplete) re-Sámification of the region.

   The challenges still to overcome are noted towards the end of the introduction : there is still racism in this part of the World, the rise of the far-right is a problem here as well, tourism and cultural exploitation are also cited as contemporary challenges, to name only a few.

   All that said, the true strength of the book is found in its second part : 12 in depth interviews of Sámis, all notable for their respective contributions towards and involvement in the liberation movements in the region.

   Visual artists, politicians, reindeer herders, musicians, university professors. A whole range of diverse people are given a voice in these interviews. And the beauty of the book is here, it gives a voice to many different people with sometimes contradictory opinions, sometimes feeling somewhat uncertain of their own approach to their activism - present or past. Even the activist that planted the bomb on the bridge during the Áltá conflict, Niillas Somby, is interviewed. 

   To really get a chance to understand subjects as complex as decolonization, indigenous rights and the struggles to get them, it is crucial to hear diverse views and approaches. But it's easier said than done, and this book offers a great starting point.

   The goal here is not to re-transcript the interviews. You'll have to read the book yourself.

   Still, I'd like to highlight a few points I found particularly interesting.

   In her interview, the artist Synnøve Persen reflects on her political engagement that started during the Áltá conflict - how art helped showcase what was happening in Sápmi to the broader Norwegian public, which considerably changed the attitudes of the public and governments towards Sámi people and affairs. She also explains that for her, making art as a Sámi is political by nature, regardless of the explicit political purpose.

   She recalls her inspiration for the design of the Sámi flag, her willingness to contrast it with the colorless land and the deliberate absence of Nordic cross.

   She has quite positive feelings towards the Sámi parliament : "It is true that it has no political power, but it is not a purely symbolic institution either. It maintains close relations to indigenous people around the world, which is very important for us: we share similar histories, and it is crucial for us to hear their stories and how they've been able to resist and persevere."

   Relations to other indigenous cultures and people are also highlighted by Mari Boine (probably the most renowned Sámi singer). About the international indigenous music festival Riddu Riđđu, hold every year since 1991 in northern Sápmi, she says it is "very important, as it strengthens our connections. The Sámis have more in common with other indigenous peoples than with Norwegians or other Europeans. It's also important to show the variety of indigenous culture." 

   She explains how liberating it was to sing in Sámi language, her own language, at a time when people were telling her it had no value, that she should sing in Norwegian. She explains how her role became somewhat one of ambassador for Sámis internationally, and how she dealt with it. She speaks about her incertitudes whether or not to participate to international events : she will for example refuse to take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics of Norway in 1994, refusing to "serve as decoration".

   At the end of her interview, she also highlights the progress that happened regarding the empowerment of Sámi society : "I think I tried to do two things during my career: strengthen my own people and educate Norwegians. I'm not sure I was very successful with the latter, but I do see that my own people have become stronger, especially the youth. They wear Sámi clothes, they sing in Sámi, they yoik; they don't feel any shame, and they don't allow anyone to put them down. {...} Yes, there has been progress."

   Another artist - Sámi rapper Maxida Märak - is interviewed towards the end of the book. She talks about her personal approach to activism, discussing notably her involvement in the "black reindeer caravan", a spectacular demonstration during the 2014 Jokkmokk Winter market to protest mining plans in the area.

It represents well a renewal in activist practices, in Sápmi like elsewhere: clear visual actions, that can capture the attention of the media, aimed at the general public to create awareness towards the issue at stakes.

   She revendicates a form of inclusivity with outsiders, claiming that she prefers to be friends or in good terms with non-Sámi politicians and that because of that "the next time they'll have to address a question that concerns my people, they'll be thinking of me". She takes a self-described "generous" approach with educating people that are not yet sensibilized to her causes. "Yes, it is unjust and tiresome to have to respond to dumb questions and to have to explain yourself all the time, but you know what? The world is unjust. It would be wonderful if everyone was knowledgable about everything, but that's just not the case. People of Sweden weren't supposed to know anything about my people; it was part of the colonial strategy. I can't be angry at them for that. If someone uses a racial slur, that's different. But if someone asks me how many reindeers I own or whether I live in a tent, they are often just curious. I use the opportunity to educate them. If you give them a hard time for it, it's unlikely they'll learn."

   Those were just personal highlights from 3 hand-picked interviews in this book. But there are many more fascinating stories, approaches and viewpoints in the other interviews. Harald Gaski offers an academic and linguistic perspective to some issues, Ann-Kristin Håkansson speaks about her experience working within the UN, and adds her international and institutional perspectives to the discussion.

   Truly interesting stuff. And there are many more persons to read and learn from in this book.

   In between the interviews, there are also some added material. A poem here, some protest pictures there. The declaration of principles adopted by the World council of indigenous people here, there, a painting.

   Really, it is a great book. Highly recommended if you are interested in the North, in Sámi culture, or even if you are just visiting the region to see the Northern-lights. You'll learn a lot.