We are Sami, and our culture is being taken away.. by Nunavut Sivuniksavut

Bures (Hello), my name is Piera and I am 60 years old. I have seen many changes in my lifetime, but so many drastic modifications in recent years. I used to be active on my farm and with my family. Now, I spend most of my time walking in the forest behind my house. The forest bring me a sense of calm and peace- one which I no longer feel around my family. You see my family has been split across two borders. It is painful to not see all of my children and grandchildren. I am often holding back tears when my youngest grandson asks to play with his cousin who is no longer allowed here. My mind is cloudy with a new language and my own language, I see my family struggle with words and how to communicate. Here in the forest however the new white snow covers my boots and softens my walk as well as my heart.

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2020-11-23 19:16:43 UTC

Sami Mother of 3 from Sweden.

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:24:51 UTC

Sami Elder From Finland

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:25:08 UTC

Reindeer herder, 30, with 3 kids. - Basil

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:25:27 UTC

My name is Erke, I've been providing for my children and teaching them the old ways of our people. These traders from the south wish to bring our children to a place where they claim they will learn a better way of life. They speak Swedish and want our children to learn it too, I fear losing my children; what if they lose what I've been trying so hard to pass down? I see a strong future for our family if they could learn to herd reindeer like my father did before me. I have hope for the future but what if they decide to take our kids by force? What would I do?

Sami teacher, Norway. - LOREN

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:25:39 UTC

Child, 7, Sweden. - LAZ

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:25:55 UTC

Grandmother, Norway.

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:26:13 UTC

Father who changed last name. - Guula.

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:26:33 UTC

hi, my name is Saki, I have a family and I am Sami. I took a Christian last name, for me to provide better for my family, for the reasoning of changing my last name was because I thought it would be better for my family and I was scared to lose my life.

When I decided to change my last name, at that time I was scared that something bad might happen to my family and I wanted them to be to be safe.

Swedish Sami man who wishes to vote. (Litia)

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:28:04 UTC

( Man desperate to vote and tired and being lower than low class. Defeated on the lost of culture)

We are in the 1960’s for crying out loud! Since 1870 men in America have had the right to vote. I am a man, why can’t I vote? Rage in his voice

The King's power was getting weaker and weaker in the late 1900’s. Debates on whether or not the right to vote are done. Slogans on “One man! One vote! One gun!” to men in the early 1900’s due to WWI. WOMEN have the right to vote!! The world is slowly having more and more rights. Why can’t we vote as well?

Because I don’t pay taxes? No, because I pay taxes now, unlike before. Because I am Sami? Weirdly enough I speak Swedish fluently and I have no choice to live your way. If you want us to be so much like you, why don’t you let us vote and live among you? We can work, we work all day 24/7 all the time. You might not notice it but having herds of reindeer is a full time job. We have kids who want to be teachers, nurses and more, but they can’t.

If you really wanted to make us like you, but at the end of the line don’t let us. What was your goal? We want to know, we have no choice now to do things your way. Let us vote. We became what you always wanted. Sadness and tired voice

Sami in Norway who is being told they cannot speak Sami anymore. - LEANNE

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:28:52 UTC

A Sami living in Finland beside a Finnish reindeer herder. KYLE

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:30:00 UTC

Hello I am Ailu and I live in Finland near a Finnish reindeer herder. I've seen a lot of changes throughout my life and I think it is hard to have differences between types of Sami even though we are all the same. The reindeer herders are sometimes hard to handle because my people want to hunt and kill reindeer. I think that Finnish Sami was wanting to do what they want and they just took over all the herding and took anything they want. The Finnish Sami took away the Sami language and schools they only wanted Finnish to do all these things.

A Sami teenager living in Finland, who lives in a rural community and is told to go to school far away. - NAT

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:31:32 UTC

My name is Mari and I've been living in my small rural community in Finland for all of my life. My family and I speak sami but there are Finnish settlers in our community and stores that they only speak Finnish in. I only know the basics in Finnish so I must go to the stores and health centre with my mother. My mom tells me of a time the Finnish people were not here. She says she misses it. Her family used to herd reindeer, hunt and fish, all of her stories are always so interesting to listen to. Now we have our own farm and must have jobs. I am not old enough to have a job yet so I am being sent to school far away my mom said. She said that the Finnish are forcing her to send me there and she doesn't want me to go. I am very scared I don't know why I need to go there, I want to stay here with my family. I am scared to leave my mother without her help I cannot speak and understand Finnish. I don't know when I will be coming back.

Sami youth's education experience - in Sweden who's parents switch to farming.

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:32:29 UTC

A Sami elder, in any country, watching their grandchildren lose their identity. - JAYLENE

nunavutsivuniksavut — 2022-09-22 14:33:53 UTC

My name is Laila and I live in the country now called Norway. I am Sami, so is my family. There are so many changes to our culture and our way of life, and I have seen it all. My language, culture, and living arrangements.

My grandchildren are losing these more and more each day. It is very saddening to see. We are great strong people who can survive anything. But the way this country is set up, it is making the younger generation to be ashamed of their roots. It is something I did not want to see ever. I hope one day they start to embrace where they come from.