THE SAMI The only indigenous people of

the European UnionGrace and Anika

History• Originally lived in Scandinavia• Largest population in Norway 40,000

out of 70,000• After the black plague there was a

division between the people that lead to the sea Sami and the mountain Sami

• As Norway's economy increased in the 1800’s there was more pressure on the Sami to abandon their ways• Went through an assimilation period in

Norway: if you wanted to buy land you have to speak Norwegian • While many Sami live in urban areas

some still live as they originally did

Sami Parliament in Norway• 1964 : the Norwegian Sami council was

established• 1989: Sami Parliament was established

and elected by the Sami people• 2005: Finnmark Act passed by the

Norwegian parliament giving both political bodies joint responsibility for administering land that was previously state owned

• Responsibilities of the Sami Parliament:- serve as the Sami elected political body- carry out administrative tasks delegated

from national authorities or by law- Management of the Sami development

fund - Responsibility for the development of the

Sami language- Responsible for Sami culture and

protection of the Sami cultural heritage sites

- Development of Sami teaching aids

Sami Parliament in Finland• The Finnish constitution recognised

the rights of the Sami in section 17 -right to ones language and culture and section 121 –municipal and other regional self-governments • Self-governing body established in

1996 (the Sami Parliament), replacing the Sami delegation

Sami Parliament in Sweden • Founded in 1992 • Elected body but not a body for self-

government• Primary function is to protect and

promote the culture of the Sami