Buorre beaivi buohkaide – good afternoon everyone!

I am Juhána Biera Biret Márjá and I am a member of the Governing Council of the Sámi Parliament. I am glad to be here for the opening of this years Arctic Race, which takes place in the Sámi peoples traditional homelands. I would therefore welcome you all home to us.

Riders and people following the race through media, will experience beautiful nature: majestic fjords, crystal-clear seas, mountains, and the tundra that stretch far out to the horizon. It is an impressive and breathtaking view.

I would like to remind you that these areas that you are visiting are not only part of a beautiful and wild landscape, but also very important grazing land for reindeer that graze freely. These areas may seem untouched. What you don`t see, is that these areas are the foundation of an unique Sámi industry that has existed in harmony with nature for years and years.

These areas are now facing major threats and pressure from various players who want to develop power and wind industries on a large scale. It casts a big shadow and darkness over this paradise. For the Sámi who live close to nature, it is a vital premise that nature herself is a living treasure that we manage on behalf of all future generations.

My hope is that the Arctic Race can be a platform, not only for sporting competition, but also for important conversations about how we can secure our future. My hope is that while enjoying our beautiful homelands, perhaps you can also reflect on the huge costs of transforming these areas into massive industrial landscapes.

With those words, I wish the best of luck to all the riders and teams visiting Sápmi.
Giitu! Thank you!