Sùmi

The Sámi are an Indigenous people of Sápmi, the Arctic and sub-Arctic region that spans the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Russian Kola Peninsula. They have distinct cultures and languages, most notably the Sámi languages, which belong to the Uralic language family. Northern Sámi is the most widely spoken, with Inari Sámi, Skolt Sámi, Lule Sámi, Southern Sámi and others having smaller communities. Estimates place the Sámi population in the tens of thousands, with the majority living in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

A traditionally nomadic or semi-nomadic livelihood system centers on reindeer herding, though Sámi today pursue diverse occupations. Reindeer herding, fishing, hunting, language and cultural preservation are central to identity. Sámi art and crafts, duodji, joik (song), and distinctive gákti clothing are notable cultural expressions. Language preservation and education are ongoing concerns, as many Sámi languages are endangered or have limited intergenerational transmission.

Historically, Sámi communities faced assimilationist policies and suppression of language and culture in various states. In recent decades, Sámi political institutions were established in the three states: Norway’s Sámediggi (1989), Sweden’s Sameting (1993), and Finland’s Sámi Parliament (1996). These bodies advise governments on Sámi issues and administer certain cultural and language programs; Russia has indigenous organizations but no national Sámi parliament.

Today, Sámi rights and land and resource issues remain central, with international recognition of Indigenous rights under instruments such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Climate change and changes to traditional livelihoods pose ongoing challenges.