Lágideaddjit ledje International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR) ja American Museum of Natural History.
Sáhkavuorru lea eaŋgalasgillii.
Bures,
Thank you – giitu - for the invitation to participate in this event. I am Oskála Mákreda Ristiinna Márjjá Maren, and I am member for the governing council of the Sami Parliament in Norway.
The rights of the Sami peoples are protected through national and international laws and agreements. In short, the state shall create conditions enabling the Sami people to preserve and develop our languages, culture and way of life. In Sápmi the authorities must not allow violation and land fragmentation that threaten the Sami culture.
To ensure that Sami rights are upheld fairly and effectively, it is crucial that governments, big companies, organizations, and individuals have proper knowledge about these rights.
Understanding Sami culture, history and traditional livelihoods such as reindeer herding, fishing, and traditional land use, is essential to grasp the challenges faced by the Sami people.
We expect that all planning and assessment programs must evaluate the overall consequences of both current and previous interventions. And if existing knowledge base on reindeer herding and land use is poor or insufficient, new investigations must be conducted.
We also expect that these studies are carried out, in co-operation with the Sami people and knowledge holders, to assess the cultural and environmental impact of planned development activities. These impact assessments must include Sámi traditional knowledge.
The knowledge is found amongst the Sámi people. There is why we need more research.
Research is crucial in documenting and understanding Sami culture, livelihoods, the rights of Indigenous peoples and challenges.
To promote proper knowledge, comprehensive education and information programs are necessary. This includes teaching in schools, training for public employees, and information campaigns aimed at the general public. By increasing awareness and understanding of Sami culture, livelihoods and rights, we can help create a society that respects and values the Sami peoples.
There is a significant and growing need for more Sámi research—research grounded in Sámi perspectives that strengthens and preserves Sámi knowledge, language, culture and values.
Sámi research brings vital perspectives to societal challenges such as climate change, natural resource management, and Indigenous rights.
Traditional Sámi knowledge, or árbediehtu, provides insights that can complement and challenge Western scientific approaches, especially in the Arctic regions.
The need for more Sámi research is not merely an academic concern—it is a matter of justice, sustainability, and cultural survival. It is a step toward a more inclusive and knowledgeable society where our voices are heard.
Two of the main trends in land encroachments over the last few years are large scale wind power projects and increased mineral surveys and mining activity, which of course comes in addition to other cumulative effects of building projects in our nature, and on top of this – we have the climate change.
All this has a direct effect on us, on Sami culture as a whole, and on reindeer herding especially. Our Sami and reindeer herding communities’ experiences land loss, and land fragmentation every day as we speak. This affects the economy of our traditional livelihoods, the health of our people, especially the persons directly affected, and the hope and possibilities our future generations.
Giitu!