saamelais

The term "saamelais" refers to the indigenous Sami people and their culture. The Sami are traditionally associated with the northernmost parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. This region is often referred to as Sápmi. The Sami have a distinct language, culture, and history that has evolved over millennia in their Arctic and subarctic environment.

Historically, Sami livelihoods have been closely tied to natural resources, with reindeer herding being a prominent and iconic practice for many Sami communities. However, Sami economies have also diversified to include fishing, hunting, gathering, and more recently, various modern professions. The Sami have their own unique languages, collectively known as Sami languages, which belong to the Finnic branch of the Uralic language family. While there are distinct Sami languages and dialects, they share common roots.

Sami culture is rich in traditions, including music (joik), handicrafts (duodji), and storytelling. The Sami Parliament (Sámediggi in North Sami) exists in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, serving as elected bodies that represent Sami interests and promote Sami culture and rights within their respective countries. The Sami people have faced historical challenges, including assimilation policies and land rights issues, but have also experienced a resurgence of cultural and political activism in recent decades, working to preserve and promote their heritage.