SámediggiSámediggeSämitigge

SámediggiSámediggeSämitigge refers to the Sámi Parliaments. These are representative bodies for the Sámi people in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The Sámi are an indigenous people inhabiting Sápmi, a region that spans the northern parts of these three countries, as well as the Kola Peninsula of Russia. The SámediggiSámediggeSämitigge function as advisory and political organs, tasked with representing Sámi interests and promoting Sámi culture, language, and rights.

The Sámi Parliament in Norway, the Sámediggi, was established in 1989 and is located in Karasjok. The Sámi Parliament in Sweden, the Sametinget, was established in 1993 and is located in Kiruna. The Sámi Parliament in Finland, the Sämitigge, was established in 1973 and is located in Inari. These institutions are elected by and from the Sámi population. Their specific powers and responsibilities vary by country, but generally include issues related to education, culture, language preservation, land rights, and traditional livelihoods such as reindeer herding. The establishment of these parliaments is a significant step in recognizing and advancing the self-determination and rights of the Sámi people within the respective nation-states. They serve as a crucial platform for Sámi political engagement and cultural revitalization.