ANNUAL REPORT 2019 CONTENTS

1. SUMMARY 4 2. GENERAL INFORMATION 6 2.1 Objectives 6 2.2 Organization 6 2.2.1 Member organizations 7 2.2.2 Staff 7 2.3 Economy 7 2.4 Cooperation with others 7

3. CULTURAL UNIT OF THE SAAMI COUNCIL 9 3.1 Cultural grant 9 3.1.1 Cultural projects 2019 9 3.1.2 Working grants 2019 10 3.1.3 Cultural fund 10 3.2 The Cultural Committee 10 3.3 A united Saami cultural policy 11 3.3.1 KulturSápmi 11 3.3.2 Collaboration with national arts and cultural institutions 11 3.3.3 Research 11 3.4 Protection of Saami cultural heritage 12 3.4.1 Sámi duodji trademark 12 3.4.2 Agreement with Walt Disney Animation Studios 12 3.5 Literature 12 3.5.1 Writing competition for children and youth 12 3.6 Saami Symbol Committee 13

4. HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT OF THE SAAMI COUNCIL 14 4.1 UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) 14 4.2 EMRIP 15 4.3 Reports to treaty bodies 15 4.4 Saami rights 15 4.4.1 Consultation legislation in Sweden 15 4.4.2 Assistance to defend Saami rights to land and water 16 4.4.3. Arctic Railway 16 4.4.4. Saami Fishery rights in Russia 16 4.5. Saami SDG strategy 16

Original language: Northern Saami 5. ARCTIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL UNIT OF THE SAAMI COUNCIL 17 5.1 Saami Council’s participation in the work within the Arctic Council 17 5.1.2. ACAP 18 5.1.3. Arctic Economic Council 18 5.2. Arctic Leaders’ Summit 19 5.3 Saami Council participation in UN environmental conventions 19 5.3.1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 19 5.3.2. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 19 5.3.3. Other 19 5.4 Dialogue with the Saami community 19

6. EU UNIT OF THE SAAMI COUNCIL 20 6.1 EU Interreg Nord project: Filling the EU-Sápmi knowledge gaps 20 6.2 Research 20 6.3 Support to awareness raising about the Saami 20 6.4 INDYLAN – mobile virtual learning for indigenous languages 21 6.5 EU seminar in Tromsø 21

7. OTHER ISSUES 22 7.1 Youth initiative 22 7.2 Communication 22 7.3 Follow up of issues from 21. Saami Conference 23 7.3.1 Forestry in Sápmi 23 7.3.2 Language year 23 7.3.3 Saami research ethics 23

8. ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE PROSPECTS 24 FOTO: Linnea Nordström

Photo: Lars Opstad/Sámediggi & Sámeráđđi

1. SUMMARY

he Saami Council has maintained a high lev- The economical situation is stable and good, el of activity throughout the year, and many much because of the contribution from Tamal- ofT the activity goals were achieved even though pais Trust, which has been supplementary to the many of them are long-term processes that annual grants for some years now. The stable cannot be completed during one activity year. core funding has made it possible for the Saami Among the results in 2019, we would like to high- Council to run many different projects in addition light the agreement with Walt Disney Animation to the ordinary business. Project activities can be Studio in relation to the Frozen 2 film, the fund- demanding for an organization with limited re- ing of the Interreg project “Filling the EU Sápmi sources, both in terms of application processes, knowledge gaps” and the two large conferenc- implementation and reporting. The Saami Coun- es we have organized; KulturSápmi and the 6th cil has however managed this well without loos- Arctic Leaders Summit. Each in its own way, we ing focus and resources from the basic activities. believe that these will benefit the Saami people. However, every now and then applications we have spent a lot of time and resources on devel- oping fail to get funding. This is not unusual, and we feel confident that our organization handles it well. This activity report gives a good picture of the Saami Council activities in 2019.

4 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL ©2019 Disney

Image: Walt Disney Animation Studios

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 5 2. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Saami Council is a voluntary and independent cil is one of the oldest indigenous organizations that cultural and political cooperation organization for work to secure and strengthen the rights of indigenous Saami main organizations in Finland, Norway, Russia peoples both nationally and internationally. The Saami and Sweden. Since it was founded in 1956, the Saami Council will strengthen its NGO role, and put expec- Council has actively promoted saami issues. tations on both the Finnish, Norwegian, Russian and Swedish authorities, but also to the Saami parliaments. The highest body of the Saami Council is the Saami Conference, which is held every four years. The Saami 2.2 Organization Conference chooses 15 council members for a 4-year The 21st Saami Conference elected the following mem- period. Among these, an executive board is elected bers to the Saami Council for the period 2017–2021: for two years at a time. The Saami Council has decid- ed that the next conference is to be arranged in the Swedish part of Sápmi in October 2021.

The Saami Council has four operational thematic Member Deputy Org. units: Arctic and Environmental Unit, Human Rights Åsa Larsson Blind Ella Karolina Juuso SSR Unit, Cultural Unit and EU Unit. The activities of the Lea Simma Sanna Vannar SSR units are described in more detail below. The Saami Kristina Nordling Margareta Påve RSÄ Council also has a secretariat that manages the ad- Karin Vannar Marja Kari Omma RÄF ministrative work. Jevgenij Kirillov Elena Jakovleva AKS . Ivan Matrekhin Andrej Danilov OOSMO Christina Henriksen Beatrice Fløystad NSR The Sami are an inde- Ol Johan Gaup Beaska Niillas NSR Ellinor Marita Jåma Nancy Porsanger NRL pendent people, like Ellen Inga Turi Mattias Jåma NRL Bjørg Bonk Henrik Kolstrøm SFF other people, we have the Áslat Holmberg Ida-Maria Helander SSG Niko Valkeapää Maaren Palismaa SSG right to our lives and to deci- Piia Nuorgam Outi Paadar SSG Saara Tervaniemi Per Oula Juuso SSG de on matters concerning us.

– TRÅANTE DECLARATION, TRÅANTE 2017 Outi Paadar resigned as deputy member because of her new job situation. Therefore the Saami Council in 2.1 Objectives February 2019 elected Jouni Lukkari as a new deputy The overall aim of the Saami Council is to safeguard the member after suggested by Suoma Sámi Guovddáš- interests of the Saami as a people and to strengthen searvvi. the Saami people’s cohesion across national borders as one people and as an indigenous people. The in- The Executive Board has consisted of Åsa Larsson ternational work is a central part of the Saami Coun- Blind, Ivan Matrekhin, Áslat Holmberg and Christina cil’s activities. Focus is on human rights of indigenous Henriksen. Åsa Larsson Blind is elected as president. peoples, cooperation with other indigenous peoples The Executive Board had five meetings in 2019 and and Arctic and environmental issues. The Saami Coun- processed 31 cases.

6 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 2.2.1 Member organizations not located in the same place, but routines and meas- The Saami Council has 9 member organizations: NRL, ures have been established to improve communica- NSR, SFF, SSG, SSR, RSÄ, RÄF, OOSMO and AKS. The tion even if it is not possible to meet on a daily basis. In Saami Council has a routine to invite member organiza- December, a staff seminar was held in Nesseby where tions to the Saami Council meetings. In 2019 member topics included strategy planning and communication. organizations participated in the annual meetings of the Saami Council in Tromsø and Murmansk. 2.3 Economy Samerådet har i 2019 hatt en stabil økonomi og likviIn 2.2.2 Staff 2019, the Saami Council had a stable economy and the liquidity was also good. The main funders have been the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Af- fairs in Finland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Swe- den and Tamalpais Trust. The Saami Council has also had several on-going projects. Some of these projects continue in 2020. The revenues have been in total 12.613.519 NOK. This is 407.476 NOK less than the year before. Exact amounts of expenses and income can be found in the 2019 accountings.

The grant from the Nordic Council of Ministers were al- located to cultural support, administrative coordination, as well as expenses for the participation of the Russian Saami in the Saami Council work, in accordance with the budget. The grants from the foreign ministries were used for arctic and environmental work and for human rights work. The grant from Tamalpais Trust was used for activities in all units, according to the project budget. Photo: Christina Hætta The Saami Council get accounting services from The Saami Council staff in 2019: Čalliid Lágádus in Karasjok. The auditor has been ES Revisjon AS in Harstad. • Áile Jávo, Secretary general • Gunn-Britt Retter, head of Arctic and Environ- 2.4 Cooperation with others ment unit The Saami Council cooperates continuously with oth- • Magne Ove Varsi, head of the Human Rights unit er indigenous peoples, and especially with organizati- (until 15.06.19) ons and institutions representing indigenous peoples • Christina Hætta, head of the Cultural unit of the Arctic, such as Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), • Elle Merete Omma, head of the EU unit Greenland Homerule Government, Russian Associati- • Natalia Vaskova, coordinator of Russian Sápmi on of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON), the • Jannie Staffansson, employee at the Arctic and Arctic Athabaskan Council, Aleut International Council Environment unit (until 16.10.19) and Gwich´in Council International. • Inga Margrete Lillevoll, trainee (until 24.05.19) • Enni Similä, trainee (fra og med 19.08.19) • Anne Henriette Nilut, administrative staff (from 19.08.19) • Piera Heaika Muotka, communication advisor (from 01.12.19) • Christina Henriksen, project staff (in the period of 01.08.19-31.12.19) • Mattias Åhren, project staff

All employees, except from one, have been full-time employees. The workload in the Saami Council is heavy and this puts a lot of pressure on the employees. The employees of the Saami Council have a very high level of expertise and a large working capacity. For the Saami Council, it is important to ensure a good working environment. It is a challenge that the employees are

Photo: Linnea Nordström ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 7 Photto: Linnea Nordström

The Saami Council also collaborates and consults con- tinuously with the Saami Parliamentary Council (SPR), and participates in their meetings and seminars when invited. The Executive Board of the Saami Council and the board of SPR met in September for a coordination and dialogue meeting. This was a good experience, which the Saami Council would like to see continued.

The Saami Council has a long-standing close coope- ration with the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM), and one has, among other things, annual dialogue mee- tings where one discusses last year activities, future plans and challenges, while looking at the possibility of further cooperation. I conjunction with this dialogue meeting in 2019, the Saami Council also met with the new Secretary General of NCM, Ms Paula Lehtomäki. Saami Council also participated at NCM Partner forum and we had a statement at the NCM conference “Nor- dic Cultural Cooperation of the Future”.

8 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 3. CULTURAL UNIT OF THE SAAMI COUNCIL

The Sami language – the • The Cultural Council’s Advisory Committee for the institutional field, 2019 - (Norway) golden language – carries • The steering group for the collaboration be- tween the Saami people and Walt Disney Anima- and consolidates our connec- tion Studios, 2018-2019 (Sápmi) • Verddet, advisory group that assisted Walt Dis- tion to our land and our people. ney Animation Studios in their work on Frozen2, 2018-2019 (Sápmi) – TRÅANTE DECLARATION, TRÅANTE 2017 3.1 Cultural grant The Saami Council’s cultural policy mission is to devel- The Sami Council annually gives grants for various op and promote cross-border Saami cultural policy. The cultural purposes. Saami artists and cultural actors Sami arts and culture field often works across borders. can apply for support for projects, study tours and At the same time, grant schemes and measures are work grants. The application deadline for 2019 grants mostly organized within the frameworks of national bor- was set to 27.08.18. The Saami Council received 67 ders. This creates unequal working conditions for our applications for project and travel support as well as cultural workers and artists. The Saami Council aims to 16 work grant applications. In total there were applica- reduce these barriers in the cultural field. Throughout tions for NOK 6.000.000. the year, the Saami Council has worked actively to unify the field and to build a united Saami cultural policy plat- For the Saami Council it is important to share informa- form. We have i.e. initiated and arranged ”KulturSáp- tion about this grant scheme. It is the only cross-bor- mi”, which was a historical first branch meeting for the der grant scheme for the Saami cultural field, and is Saami arts and culture field. We have also initiated and such unifying and a crucial contribution to cultural actively participated in a cooperation forum between activities that strengthen both traditional and modern the Saami Parliaments’ Cultural Departments and the Saami culture throughout Sápmi. Sami Artist Council. We have also built other relevant networks and collaborations both in Sápmi and at a na- 3.1.1 Cultural projectst 2019 tional and international level. The Saami Council Cultural Committee granted funding for 41 different projects with a total amount of 1.200.000 The Saami Council has been a visible cultural policy ac- NOK. The Cultural Committee prioritizes both geo- tor and participated actively in various cultural activities graphical and genre spreading, and the experience is in Sápmi like; Ubmejen Biejvie Cultural Summit, Saami that Saami culture often has a natural cross-border ele- Art festival, celebration of Saami Art Associations 40 ment and often combines several art genres. years anniversary, the Márkomeannu festival, Arctic Arts Festival and Saami Easter Festival in Kautokeino. Festivals The Saami Council notice a large public interest in the The Saami Council was in 2019 represented by the Saami festivals that includes other indigenous peo- Head of Cultural Unit Christina Hætta in the following ples and facilitates their own programs for children and committees: youth. Several Saami festivals received support in 2019. • Ministry of Trade and Culture’s Cooperation Among these were Saami Easter Festival in Kautokeino, Committee for Culture and Tourism (Norway), Márkomeannu, Skolt saami anniversary days, Ijahis Idja 2018-2019 music festival in Inari, cultural days called Márjjabeaivvit in • The music equipment scheme (Norway), 2018 - Enontekiö, Saami Art Festival and BeaskanLuossa Rock.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 9 Film and history Máret Ánne Sara (born 1983) «Power Pile» In addition to supporting Raasten rastahs film festival maretannesara.com in Røros and Skábmagovat International film festival in Máret Ánne Sara is an artist, writer and journalist. She Inari, five other film projects also got funding in 2019; comes from a reindeer herding family and currently music video productions with skolt saami band Suom- she lives and work in Kautokeino. Máret Ánne is one mkarin and film producer Katja Gauriloff, and with the of the initiators of Dáiddadallu. She has published two band Ondt Blod, a short film project by Dáiddádállu novels and in 2014 she was nominated for the Nordic Artist collective, dubbing of “Spirit Away” by Interna- Council Children’s and Youth Literature Prize for her tional Saami Film Institute, and Inga Elin Marakatts debut book ”Ilmmiiid gaskkas” (published in English work with a movie script on Saami reindeer herding in 2016 with the title ”In between worlds”). The sequel women life in the time period 1920-1940. In addition “Doaresbealde doali” was released in 2014. Máret Einar Marenius Aikio Niilo got a grant to work on a Ánne has exhibited visual art since 2003 and often documentation project by collecting oral stories about she addresses political themes from a Saami and es- Sápmi during evacuation in 1944-1945. pecially a reindeer herding perspective. Sara has re- ceived this work grant to work on her new art project Music and joik “Power Pile” which is a follow-up project to Pile o´ Sáp- Three album productions received support in 2019; mi. Katarina Barruk, Gájanas orchestras and Bernt Mikkel Haglund for producing a joik album with Nils Peder Akkil www.akkilofficial.com A Gaup. In addition Antoni Hætta got a grant for his AKKIL is an anonymous Sami artist who works with joik live music project called “LoungeSápmi”, where he will as his main element mixed with the 80’s synth pop. promote young saami artists. Online his songs ”Duoddara giron”, ”Davas” and ”Mii Livčče” has lived their own life. He has received this Literatur work grant to create more music. Akkil writes about Four literature projects received support in 2019; ju- himself: «When I was a small boy, I probably fell in love lev saami book- exhibition project for children called with the sounds of a toy-synth that my little brother “Mánnodihpen - Julevsáme giehto”, translation of the played for the reindeers in our backyard. And here I award winning cook book “EALLU”, Toivo Wests’ book am, making music just like the other professionals. AK- about saami plants “Sámi šattut 1” and Maarit Maggas’ KIL creates music for fun. AKKIL wants to make peo- book- and exhibition project about saami confirmation ple feel good with a tune, or a sample of classic sami dressing traditions. yoiks. No politics, no bullshit. Only memories from the past.» Duodji and modern artt In addition to the support for the Saami Art festival in Sara Ajnnak (born 1979) www.saraajnnak.com Alta, two other modern art projects got granted; Saami Ume saami artist Sara Ajnnak from Swedish side of Art Center got support for their project “Girjegumpi” Sápmi has marked herself as a politically and social in collaboration with architect and artist Joar Nango. conscious artist. She has released three albums, “Sámi Lávdi” organization got support for their work of which the first album ”Suojggat” in 2014 was the with establishing an Saami Stage Institute. Only one world’s first album in Umesaami language and it re- duodji project got funding in 2019 and it was Ove Stø- ceived very good feedback. Sara Ajnnak was raised dles project where he wants to revitalize sea saami in a reindeer herding family and through her music boatbuilding traditions. she tells about displacement from traditional areas, discrimination and loss of language. Sara has had a Travel support and youth showcase at Folk Allience and attended Womex. She The Youth Association “Suoma Sámi Nuorat rs” re- has received this work grant to build up an internation- ceived travel support to participate at The United Na- al audience. tions Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and UN Indigenous Youth Caucus. ABC-Company E-skuvla AS 3.1.3 Cultural Fund got support to arrange a camp for saami youth aged It has been a long-term goal for the Saami Council to 14-17 years. formally establish a pan-Saami cultural fund where our aim is to build a sustainable pan-Saami cultural grant A complete list of the grants is attached to this annual scheme in cooperation with the Saami Parliaments. In report. 2019 the Saami Council did the first practical arrange- ments in order to establishment the fund. 3.1.2 Working grants 2019 Three Saami cultural workers received a work grant of 3.2 The Cultural Committee NOK 200.000 each: The Saami Council Cultural Committee has five mem- bers and is elected by the Saami Council for a two-year period after proposals from Saami art and cultural or-

10 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL ganizations. Four of the members represent the Saami annual branch event arranged in different parts of art and cultural organizations, and the fifth member Sápmi. In continuation it should be in collaboration represents the Saami Council. The Cultural Commit- with all three Saami parliaments in Norway, Sweden tee for the period 2019-2020 has consisted of: Asta and Finland. Balto (chair), Oskar Njaita Östergren, Milana Sapel- nikova, Petra Biret Magga Vars and Niko Valkeapää. A small film from KulturSápmi can be found here: Deputy members: Siri Gaski, Nils Anders Inga, Anna https://www.dropbox.com/s/7cbw7yvpj6rvop4/Kul- Galkina, Matti Aikio and Ivan Matrekhin. turS%C3%A1pmi.mp4?dl=0 The Cultural Committee is the only cultural and po- litical cross-border forum, and shall contribute with expertise in the allocation of cultural grants and in de- signing the Sami Council cultural policy. The Cultural Committee had two meetings in 2019.

3.3 A united saami cultural policy Today, the development of the Saami arts and culture field is to a large extent tied within the national borders of Norway, Sweden and Finland. There is little coor- dination and common strategies across national bor- ders. The Saami Council sees a united Saami cultural policy platform as a crucial prerequisite for a healthy development of the Saami cultural field, developed jointly between the Saami Council, the Saami Parlia- ment and the Saami arts and cultural organizations.

The Saami Council is therefore very pleased that a co- operation forum between the cultural departments of the Saami Parliament in Norway, Sweden and Finland, the Saami Artists Council and the Saami Council was established in 2019. The purpose of the collaboration is to coordinate policy development and to strength- en the Saami arts and culture field throughout Sáp- mi. In 2019, the Cooperation Forum focused on map- ping collaboration opportunities and work strategy. Photo: Christina Hætta They also had a joint meeting with the Nordic cultural councils; Taike in Finland, the State Culture Council in 3.3.2 Collaboration with national arts and cul- Sweden and the Culture Council in Norway. They also tural institutions expressed an intention to collaborate on the branch The Saami Council finds it important to build net- conference KulturSápmi. works with national arts and cultural institutions, both to bridge cultures and to increase the saami 3.3.1 KulturSápmi competence in national institutions. The Saami cul- 16.-17. oktober 2019 the Saami Council arranged Kul- ture field lacks curators and other skilled workers, turSápmi in Kiruna; the very first branch conference and we need more national institutions to help cre- that gathered saami artists and cultural workers from ate more opportunities and good growth conditions all countries. for Saami cultural workers. We also notice the grow- ing interest in Saami art and culture, and that sev- The vision of KulturSápmi was to arrange an unpolitical eral national institutions include Sápmi in their daily branch event for a unified art and culture field, build work. Of course, this is a positive development, but stronger networks and inspire for more cooperation it requires dialogue and good cooperation with the across borders. The conference had 130 participants Saami arts and culture field. Together with the Saami and the feedback was very positive. In particular, the artist center and the Saami Parliament in Norway, importance of a cross-border meeting place where the Saami Council has initiated collaboration on this. the cultural workers could come together as one field and the opportunity to get to know each other’s artis- 3.3.3 Research tic processes was highlighted. There are very little research on saami art and culture, and thus there are huge knowledge gaps. At the same Partners were Innovation Norway, the Saami Parlia- time, we know that Saami art and culture have a par- ment in Norway, Giron Sámi Teáhter and the Barents ticularly important role in the Saami society. It is there- Secretariat. The aim is that KulturSápmi should be an fore important to map, document and analyse the role

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 11 of culture and art in Sápmi. The Saami Council finds and consisted of Christina Hætta, Piia Nuorgam, Karen it very important to facilitate more research in the art Anne Buljo, Veli-Pekka Lehtola, Cecilia Persson and field and will continue to contribute to such research. Anne Lajla Utsi.

The Saami Council has in 2019 initiated and contrib- The agreement between the Saami people and Walt uted to the art research project OKTA - Art and fric- Disney Animation Studios states that WDAS will dub tion-filled communities in Sápmi. The project is funded Frozen 2 to North Saami. It also contains other pos- by the Norwegian Cultural Council and the Government itive ripple effects for the Saami community; such as Art Fund in Denmark and will develop new knowledge trainee opportunities for Saami youth to the WDAS about how art is included in and works at meeting plac- summer program, as well as other exchanges and es for the Saami minority and the Nordic majority pop- knowledge building. All contributions should benefit ulation. The project group consists of Mathias Danbolt the Saami community. (University of Copenhagen), Britt Kramvig (UiT: The Arc- tic University of Norway), Hanna E. Guttorm (University of Helsinki) and Christina Hætta (Saami Council).

3.4 Protection of Saami cultural heritage In 2019, cultural heritage protection has been high on the agenda of the Saami Council, especially through the cooperation between the Saami people and Walt Disney Animation Studios, but also through our work with the trademarks ”Sámi Duodji” and ”Sámi Made”.

3.4.1 Sámi duodji trademark We experience that Saami cultural heritage is abused, copied and stolen within a wide range of genres such as tourism, film, music, joik, crafts, fashion and design. In recent years, the Saami Council, together with the Photo: Lars Opstad/Sámediggi & Sámeráđđi Saami duodji organizations in Norway, Sweden, Fin- 3.5 Literature land and Russia, have invested considerable resourc- The Saami Council has collaborated with Gïelem es to look at how we can tailor a protection system for nastedh and Trøndelag County Library to translate duodji and products produced by saamis. Such a sys- and publish two childrens books in saami languages. tem will also help create opportunities for sustainable There are not many saami childrens books available, jobs through promotion and sales. and therefore the Saami Council is happy to contrib- ute with translations. This kind of activity is a new ex- The work on the trademarks ”Sámi Duodji” and ”Sámi perience for the Saami Council. It has been a good Made” is a high priority of the Saami Council and we experience, and we will consider continuing with it. know that there are high hopes for this work. The Saami Council wants to follow up the launch of the The book “Bööh! Boo!” written by Jon Ewo and Bjørn trademarks with a 3-year follow-up project which will, Ousland, was translated to southern saami by Åsta among other things, contribute to the branding of the Vanberg and to northern saami by Áile Jávo. The book trademarks, build necessary networks, collaboration was launched at the saami national day February 6th and market opportunities, and work out a sustainable 2019. ownership model that seeks good and collective solu- tions for the Saami community. The book “Čeahpes dollalakkis – Šlogg draakon” written by Bjørn Ousland, was translated to northern 3.4.2 Agreement with Walt Disney Animation saami by Áile Jávo and to skolt saami by Zoya Noso- Studios va and Natalia Vaskova. The book was launched in The Saami Council and the Saami Parliaments in Nor- Murmansk October 26th 2019 in conjunction with the way, Sweden and Finland established in 2019 a coop- Saami Council meeting there. eration agreement with Walt Disney Animation Studi- os regarding the use of Sami elements in the Frozen 2 3.5.1 Writing competition for children and youth film. For the Saami Council and the Saami Parliaments, In connection with the International Year of Indige- it has been important to ensure that the Saami cul- nous Languages in 2019, the Saami Council launched ture that has inspired the filmmakers behind Frozen a writing competition for saami children and youth be- 2 is treated with respect and recognition. Therefore, tween 6 and 30 years. The texts were to be written in a Saami expert group assisted the filmmakers to un- Saami and could be short stories, poems, comics, sto- derstand the Saami culture, history, rights and social ries, documentaries, factual texts or other. The young- life. The Saami expert group was named “Verddet” est participants could also contribute with drawings

12 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL with captions. The aim was to motivate Saami children 3.6 Saami Symbol Committee and youth to write in Saami. Saami symbol committee is a working group com- posed of the Saami Council and the Saami Parliamen- There were a total of 265 contributions to the competi- tary Council (SPR). The working group manages the tion from all over Sápmi. Many of the contributions held symbols of the Saami people, such as the flag and the a very high level, which promises well for the future. A national anthem. The group consists of 6 members, professional jury selected the following winners: three elected by the Saami Council. Since 2018, the Saami Council representatives have been Ol Johan Ages: 1. Áigin Eriksen og Simmá Aikio (8) Gaup, Anna Igontova and Lars Anders Bæhr. 6-8 years 2. Biret Karianne Solbakken (8) 3. Ailu Lehmuslehti (7) The Saami Conference in Tråante 2017 decided that a Sami national joik should be elected, and decided Ages: 1. Máren Aslaksdatter Buljo (13) that a broad process should be initiated to elect an ap- 9-13 years 2. Ana Maria Eira (12) propriate joik. The Saami symbol committee has been 3. Ellen Hetta (10) commissioned to lead this process.

Ages: 1. Sofie Rognseth (15) 6-8 years 2. Risten F. Rajala Lautz (14) 3. Nillá Mansikka-aho (14)

Ages: 1. Jonna Dunfjeld Mølnvik (17) 17-22 years 2. Jenny Lilja (17) 3. Jenny Lilja (17)

Ages: 1. Arla Magga (28) 23-30 years 2. Ole-Fredrik Ivar Nergård (23) 3. Lisa Marainen (23)

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 13 4. HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT OF THE SAAMI COUNCIL

15.06.19. In addition have professor Mattias Åhrén, El- Saami right to self- len Blind and Christina Henriksen assisted the unit in single cases. determination is rooted 4.1 UN Permanent Forum (UNPFII) in the Saami people, who make up a nation. Historically, the Saami themselves have decided on the culture, com- munities, livelihoods and lands. The Saami have always had these rights and others cannot define or deprive the

Saami of them. Photo: Áslat Holmberg

– TRÅANTE DECLARATION, TRÅANTE 2017 The Saami Council participated in the 18th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Within the UN system and in the international human represented by Vice President Áslat Holmberg, dep- rights work, the Saami Council is the Saami civil so- uty member Beaska Niillas and youth representative ciety’s voice. Throughout history, the Saami Council Maren Benedicte Nystad Storslett. The main theme has represented the Saami and indigenous peoples in for this year’s session was ”Traditional knowledge: negotiations on international instruments to strength- Generation, transmission and protection”. The Saami en indigenous peoples’ rights, such as the ILO Con- Council had three statements during the session. We vention No. 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights participated in the interactive dialogue on enhanced of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The Saami Council indigenous participation in the UN. During the second has also been central to the establishment of indige- week of the session, we also participated in the Arc- nous instruments within the UN, such as the Perma- tic region’s dialogue meeting between member states nent Forum (UNPFII) and the Expert Mechanism on the and indigenous peoples. Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), and has repre- sented the Saami in important international contexts. Ánne Nuorgam is on leave as head of the Human The development of international instruments on in- Rights Unit, and has been re-elected as a member of digenous peoples’ rights is also important in order to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues for the safeguarde Saami rights at a national level, as these period 2020-2022. During the forum’s 18th session in influence each other. April 2019, Nuorgam was elected chair of the forum. Magne Ove Varsi was head of Human Rights Unit until This gives her, and the Saami, a unique position to

14 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL promote indigenous human rights globally. Council then attended CERD’s 125th session, where the Committee questioned the Government’s repre- 4.2 EMRIP sentatives. The conclusive observations of the Com- The Saami Council participated in the 12th session of mittee was published in January 2019, and the Com- the EMRIP in Geneva 15-19. July 2019, and was repre- mittee recommends Norway to: sented by President Åsa Larsson Blind and employee • implement an action plan to end violence Natalia Vaskova who had received funding through against women the UN Voluntary Fund for her participation. The main • provide training in Saami culture knowledge and theme during this year’s session was ”Indigenous Peo- understanding for judges in the Norwegian courts ples’ rights in the context of borders, migration and dis- • provide training for Saami interpreters in the placement”. The UN International Year for Indigenous Norwegian court system Languages was also discussed, as well as a separate • adopt legislation that recognizes Saami land and panel discussion on powerful indigenous women. resource rights outside Finnmark • recognize in the form of the law Saami fishing In conjunction with the EMRIP meeting, the Saami rights in the sea Council also participated in the international launch • return reindeer husbandry rights to the East Saami of the OECD report ”Linking Indigenous Communities • that the concerns of the Saami parliaments are with Regional Development”. taken into account and that the Nordic Saami Convention is adopted and put into effect. 4.3 Reports to treaty bodies The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized In April, Saami Council participated in the UPR pree a meeting with civil society organizations on the re- session for Norway in Geneva, and made a state- form of the UN Treaty Bodies on 5 February, 2019. The ment focusing on the Saami rights to fish in the sea, Saami Council participated in the meeting. The Saami the Tana agreement between Norway and Finland, Council believes that the Treaty Bodies’ assessment and Saami self-determination in light of the Nordic cycle of the Member States is not justifiable to extend, Saami Convention. because war, terror and violence, which particularly affect vulnerable groups (such as indigenous peoples, In July 2019, the Saami Council also prepared a shad- women and children), make it necessary to question ow report to the UN Human Rights Council on the sit- and assess the Member States within four-year peri- uation of the Saami in Sweden, in connection with the ods. The Saami Council stated that one of the most im- review of Sweden in January 2020. Ellen Blind and portant problems is the states’ lack of implementation Mattias Åhrén were engaged in the work. The Saami nationally of the recommendations of the Treaty Bod- Council met with representatives of many different ies. The Saami Council also said the states have their states prior to the pre session in Geneva in December methods of counteracting and preventing civil society 2019, where we also participated. organizations from filing complaints, some states by prohibiting participation while others are hampering 4.4 Saami rights through lack of financial support. Promotion of indigenous peoples’ rights international- ly is the human rights units’ main priority, but the unit’s In January 2019 the Saami Council submitted a List work has also a focus on how the states fulfil their in- of Issues Prior to Reporting (LoIPR) of Finland to the ternational law obligations. The work consists both of Human Rights Committee (CCPR). The Saami Coun- contributing to the state’s legislation, including written cil proposed to question the Government on Saami consultation. The Saami Council has also engaged in self-determination and land rights, and in this connec- several individual cases. tion the definition of the Saami, the Land Administra- tion Act, the Tana agreement and the Arctic Railway. The Saami Council has also participated in several panel discussions on the rights of the Saami. In January the Saami Council also prepared observa- tions on Indigenous rights and extractivism for the UN 4.4.1 Consultation legislation in Sweden Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, The Sami Council has participated in hearings on the racial discrimination, xenophopia and related intoler- proposal for consultation legislation in Sweden. The ance. The Saami Council addresses Saami rights and law intend to ensure that the Saami are consulted competing industrial activities in Finland, Norway and in matters that may affect them. The Saami Council Sweden, which jeopardize traditional Saami industries is mainly positive to Sweden’s ambition to introduce and ways of life. this consultation law. Particularly positive is that the duty of consultation is proposed for local and regional Saami Council has in 2018 submitted an alternative authorities, in addition to the duty of state authorities report to the CERD on Norway’s compliance with the to consult. However, the Saami Council sees some provisions of ICERD relevant to the Saami. The Saami weaknesses with the bill, especially when it comes to

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 15 Photo: Jonne Sippola, Greenpeace saami right holders individual right to be consulted, 2019, and has planned follow-up measures. and also the lack of obligation to strive for agreeing. 4.4.4. Saami Fishery rights in Russia 4.4.2 Assistance to defend Saami rights to The Executive Board of the Saami Council has for a land and water long time identified a need to prepare a report on The Saami Council has actively supported several Saami fishery rights in Russia. Therefore, a working Saami right holders in their struggle to prevent in- meeting was held in Karasjok in April 2019, where Ivan dustrial establishments in their traditional areas. The Matrekhin, Magne Ove Varsi, Natalia Vaskova and Saami Council primarily seeks to contribute to a dia- Boris Skavronsky participated. They also had a sep- logue between the industry and the Saami right hold- arate meeting with the Saami Parliament in Norway ers, in order to explore the possibilities for consensus to discuss a Saami fishing quota. After this meeting, solutions. If this is not possible, and the company does a report was prepared from the Russian section on not respect the Saami human rights, we try to get the fishing rights in Russia: “Review of the Rights of the companies to reassess their positions, among other Kola Saami to maintain traditional fishing”. The Saami things, by taking matters to the international arena. Council will follow up the issue in 2020.

We would like to highlight the following cases: 4.5. Saami SDG strategy • the plans for a mining project in Rönnbäcken The UN Member States have adopted 17 goals with where we have appealed the case to CERD on 169 sub-targets for Sustainable Development by behalf of the Sameby. We have had communi- 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To cation with the committee in 2019, and we now be able to measure and find out if we achieve these hope that it moves towards a final clarification. goals, we need basic information and statistics. This • Wind turbines in Fosen where we have appealed is a major shortcoming in the Saami community. The to CERD on behalf of the district. We have had Saami Council holds the position as Arctic focal point several rounds of communication in 2019, but in the SDG indigenous peoples caucus. Indigenous have finally asked that the case be put on hold peoples are part of the Major Group, together with until the national processes are completed. women, NGOs, businesses, etc. • the plans for a mining project in Laver where we have contacted and met various investors The Saami Council has received support from Nordic together with the Sameby. Several of them visited Council of Ministers for a project called ”Saami SDG the area in October 2019, where representatives portal”. The project was completed in the fall of 2019. from the Saami Council also participated. The Human Rights Unit has been responsible for lead- ing the project but has also worked closely with oth- 4.4.3. Arctic Railway er units. Through this project, the Saami Council has As a follow-up to the dialogue meeting held in Inari in the arranged workshops with local experts to get input fall of 2018, the Saami Council has raised the issue on on a Saami strategy to achieve the SDGs. The Saami several occasions, including during the UN Permanent Council has prepared a strategy and we expect it to Forum. A working group has also been set up to monitor be formally approved at the Saami Council meeting in the issue more closely. The working group consists of February 2020. Through the project, the Saami Coun- Christina Henriksen (Saami Council), Ida Márjá Helander cil has also launched a web portal with more informa- (Saami Council), Eirik Larsen (Saami Parliament in Nor- tion on the SDGs. The portal has experienced some way) and Tiina Sanila-Aikio (Saami Parliament in Finland). technical problems, which are expected to be solved The working group had its first meeting in December when we move to a new web solution in early 2020.

16 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 5. ARCTIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL UNIT OF THE SAAMI COUNCIL

The basis for Sami life The Saami Council has the status as Permanent Partic- ipant in the Arctic Council, and in 2019 we have partic- is Sápmi the legacy of ipated actively in the Council’s work; in the Senior Arc- tic Official meetings, in the working groups, in ad hoc our mother the Sun and our committees, expert groups and project groups. In 2019 it was also Arctic Council ministerial meeting where father the Earth. Lands and the Saami Council delegation consisted of 11 persons: youth, elders, politicians and experts. We have partici- waters where we have lived pated in the work of the Arctic Council as far as we have been able to stretch the capacity and within the Saami in all times, before national Council’s priorities as stated in the declarations of the Saami Conferences and in the Saami Council’s activity boundaries divided our country. plans. This participation ensures that Saami perspec- tives and interests are safeguarded in Arctic issues. – TRÅANTE DECLARATION, TRÅANTE 2017 The previous years mentioned representations have con- The Arctic and Environmental Unit will communicate tinued also in 2019; Áslat Holmberg has participated in the Saami values and needs in relation to the manage- steering group for IASC IP IK and Ragnhild Nilsson in the ment of Saami areas and natural resources, so that the steering group for IASC Social and Human Working group. Saami community and culture can endure and devel- We have also appointed Rebecka Forsgren to the Amnes- op. We experience a great interest in climate change ty International Climate Change and Human Rights group. globally and in protection of nature and environment, while at the same time globalization and capitalism 5.1 Saami Council’s participation in the work lead to increased interest in Arctic areas. The Saami within the Arctic Council Council has participated in activities related to the The Finnish chairmanship of the Arctic Council was con- Arctic Council and to the UN Climate Conventions to cluded with the ministerial meeting in May. They were promote Saami views and needs in this field. followed by Iceland. Finland hosted one ordinary Senior Arctic Official (SAO) meeting and two head of delegation Gunn-Britt Retter has been head of the Arctic and Envi- meetings, mostly to prepare the ministerial meeting’s dec- ronmental Unit in a full time position. Jannie Staffansson laration and strategic plan. None of these were concluded has also been a full time employee in the unit. Six Saami because of the challenging negotiating situation and disa- Council members and deputy members have attended greement over how much focus the climate issues should AEU related meetings and 11 experts have participat- have. This is the first time in the history of the Arctic Council ed in the Saami Council delegations at various meet- that a declaration has not been agreed upon. Instead, two ings. The Saami Council has attended 49 meetings statements were adopted: a short ministerial statement and conferences, held 30 statements or participated in and a statement from the Finnish chairmanship. Work on panel discussions. The Saami Council has conducted a the strategy plan has been temporarily halted. In particular, consultation process by telephone where we contact- the US administration has sought to lower the ambitions of ed about 30 people in different Saami institutions and others in relation to climate change measures. we have arranged two large Arctic conferences: Arctic Leaders’ Summit and Arctic Youth Leaders Summit. We Since May, the Saami Council has been the chair of have also hosted two visits from international partners. IPS. The board is appointed for the period 2019-2021. The Saami Council is a co-lead or member of the

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 17 Photo: Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Kaisa Sirén steering- and expert groups in various activities in the The purpose of the project is to clean previously mapped Arctic Council’s working groups: waste and garbage, map local sources of possible pol- • Meaningful Engagement in Marine Activities (MEMA) lution and thus contribute to a better environment for (PAME), Saami communities in Russia. Part of the project has • Arctic Environmental Impact Assessment (Arctic EIA), been to raise awareness of the risks of such pollution • Salmon Peoples (CAFF), and prevent new waste landfills from being established. • Nomadic Herders (CAFF), • Wetland Project (CAFF), The project has been important to raise awareness • EALLU (SDWG), about environmental toxins in Saami communities, • Gender Equality in the Arctic Reference Group helping to clean up these in the Murmansk area, while (SDWG), also disseminating information on how these affect • Ecosystem Approach Expert Group (joint), health, wildlife and food safety. The Saami Council and • Black Carbon Expert Group (AMAP), OOSMO together organized an information meeting • Short Lived Climate Forcers (SLCF), in Murmansk in October 2019 where we talked about • Climate Expert Group (AMAP), the clean-up project for Saami organizations on the • Biological Combined Effects (AMAP), Russian side and other participants. This was a good • ACAP pre-project on cleaning of Saami region in opportunity to inform about the project’s activities and Murmansk area. preliminary results. In particular, it was nice to be able to show the project’s connection to the Arctic Council. The Saami Council also participates in the working groups ACAP, AMAP, CAFF, PAME and SDWG. The project is expected to be completed in early 2020.

We have not succeeded in getting language as an 5.1.3. Arktisk Økonomisk Råd Arctic Council project. But we have done some prepa- The Arctic Council and the Arctic Economic Council held rations by raising it both in connection with the prepa- their first joint meeting in October, to initiate the MOU ration of the strategic plan and in the declaration from signed by the parties in May. At the meeting, the Saami the Arctic Leaders Summit. Council introduced the idea of establishing an “Arctic Stewardship” system - The Arctic Star, which is a certifica- 5.1.2. ACAP tion system for companies that want to start operations in Together with OOSMO, the Saami Council has con- the Arctic. Our idea has not yet been rejected and must ducted the second part of the project “Cleaning of the be followed up. Saami Territory in the Murmansk Region”. We present- ed the results to the ACAP working group. The project is financed by Norway and Sweden.

18 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 5.2 Arctic Leaders’ Summit 5.3.2. United Nations Framework Convention The Saami Council agreed to host and organize the 6th on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Arctic Leaders Summit (ALS6) and the first Arctic Youth In the UNFCCC, the Saami Council has participated ac- Leaders’ Summit in Rovaniemi in November. The events tively since 2015. During this time, the Saami Council has were a great success and both meetings resulted in dec- had a significant coordinating and informing role for the larations. 29 indigenous youth from all over the Arctic indigenous peoples of the Arctic and also a position in the met before ALS6 for a Youth Summit. Afterwards they at- global governance committee within the International In- tended ALS where they presented their declaration and digenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC). participated in panel discussions. A total of about 80 In- digenous people, Arctic states and representatives of the The first meeting of the Facilitative Working Group of Arctic Council observers participated. Four main themes the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Plat- were discussed: history and future; indigenous languages ​​ form (FWG) under UNFCCC took place in Bonn 14.- and the environment; mental health and economic devel- 16.06.19. Saami Council supported the nomination of opment. In addition, it was the first time a dialogue was Inuit Circumpolar Conference Chair Dalee Sambo Dor- held between the Arctic Council’s permanent participants ough to the FWG. The platform has been established to and observers. Here, examples were given of how these strengthen the knowledge, technologies, practices, and have worked together as well as future plans. The decla- efforts of local communities and indigenous peoples re- ration dealt with the same topics as the panel discussions. lated to addressing and responding to climate change, ALS gives indigenous people a good opportunity to set to facilitate the exchange of experience and the sharing the agenda and to discuss more relevant issues with each of best practices and lessons learned on mitigation and other in greater depth. It would be good to have more adaptation in a holistic and integrated manner and to states present as it would give them insight on the chal- enhance the engagement of local communities and in- lenges and priorities of the Arctic indigenous peoples. digenous peoples in the UNFCCC process.

5.3 Saami Council participation in UN envi- The Saami Council has had a close cooperation with ronmental conventions and other ICC as an Arctic region to raise issues in the Indig- The Saami Council has a close cooperation with other enous Peoples caucus as well as in the preparation indigenous organizations when attending meetings of phase for meetings. the UN Environment Conventions. The Saami Council is the Arctic focal point in the CBD and SDG Indigenous 5.3.3. Other Peoples caucuses. In relation to the Climate Convention, The Saami Council had a meeting with the UN Special the Saami Council representative was a member of the Rapporteur in Environment and Human Rights in Káráš- technical expert team and steering group until October. johka. We conveyed a message around the massive land use change and fragmentation of our territories due to en- 5.3.1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) croachments and call for mitigation of climate change and CBD has started a process to revise its strategic plan need for a green shift. A final report is expected next year. to apply from 2020, the so-called Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The vision for 2050 is “Living FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organisation) invited in harmony with Nature”. Temporary targets will also to an Expert Seminar on Traditional Knowledge and be established until 2030. Indigenous Peoples’ Fisheries in the Arctic Region in Rome in late September. There were around 10 Saami In this process, it will also be clarified how CBD in the participants. The Saami Council conveyed three key future will strengthen indigenous peoples’ knowledge messages: 1. recognize Saami rights to marine re- and customary sustainable use of biodiversity. The Saami sources, 2. ensure indigenous peoples and indige- Council has participated in both the CBD Europe pre- nous knowledge involvement in management of ma- paratory meeting and the open-ended working group rine resources, and 3. reduce CO2 emissions. meeting that is responsible for leading the process. In addition, we participated in working group 8(j) and SB- 5.4 Dialogue with the Saami community STTA23 meetings in November. For the Saami Council, it In 2019, an attachment on research priorities in the Saami is important that indigenous peoples’ participation in the community was prepared for the Saami Arctic strategy Convention’s work be strengthened in the future plans document. The Saami Council conducted a telephone and goals. Traditional knowledge must be included in the consultation and reached about 30 experts in various decision-making process for future goals. The relation- Saami institutions. Both the physical dialogue meeting ship between nature and culture must be made visible (2018) and this telephone consultation were important to and strengthened. Broad support must be given to in- strengthen the Saami Council’s contact with the Saami digenous peoples’ nature, which according to IPBES ́ as- community and the Saami institutions. At the same time, sessments is what best preserves the diversity of nature. we hope that this also helps to make our strategy known and that the entire Saami community contributes to im- plementing the strategy’s proposed measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 19 6. EU UNIT OF THE SAAMI COUNCIL

partner with the Saami Council. The project aims at A forum where the increasing knowledge about the EU in Sápmi, but also about Sápmi within the EU system. The project Saami institutions share consists of the following activities; a trainee program for Saami youth, education courses on relevant EU the knowledge about the themes, the establishment of a Saami EU think thank and implementation of a pilot EU-Saami Week in Brus- EU System would be useful sels in 2022. The project period is from September 2019 to September 2022. to guide them trough the External consultancy was hired in the project devel- process and enlighted them opment and application phase (January-May). Human resources in the organization were used as a supple- about the opportunities. ment. In the start-up phase, a project worker was hired in a 40% position (October-December). In November, – EU Arctic Stakeholder Forum Sápmi Report, 2017 a full-time position as project manager and a half-time position as project employee were announced. 2019 was the second year with full time activities in the EU Unit (EUU). The overall target has been to influ- 6.2 Research ence the EU’s Arctic policy as a tool for building and In 2019, the Saami Council participated in a research strengthening Saami communities. In 2019, the EUU consortium seeking funding (unsuccessfully) from the has worked systematically on project development, EU program Horizon 2020. The application phase was seeking funding (various grant applications) and par- divided into two rounds of applications, in February and ticipation in meetings and conferences to promote September respectively. During the application phase, and safeguard Saami rights and interests in a EU con- the Saami Council received support from the Research text. Further, the EUU has provided in-put to the Eu- Council of Norway in the form of external consultan- ropean Commission on various issues, including the cy services. The Saami Council also received funding EU’s long-term budget. from Finnmark County Council to participate in capacity building courses on project writing for Horizon 2020 In 2019, the EUU had one full-time position in addition under the auspices of the Research Council. to some ad hoc positions. There has been a good co- operation between the Saami Council units, as many The process of preparing a separate Saami work of the EUU work fields cross the other units of the package in a large research project has been capac- Saami Council. ity building for the organization in form of technical expertise, networking with relevant researchers and 6.1 EU Interreg Nord project: Filling the knowledge building on EU structures. EU-Sápmi knowledge gaps In September, the project Filling the EU-Sápmi knowl- 6.3 Support to awareness raising about the Saami edge gaps was awarded a 36 months grant by the EU The Saami Council received a target grant (general program Interreg Nord, Region Norrbotten, Region operating support) from the European Commission for Västerbotten, Finnmark county municipality, Troms the period from 1 October 2019 to 31 May 2020. The county municipality, the Saami Parliament in Norway project aims at raising awareness about the Saami and Lappin Liitto. Suoma Saami Nuorat is a project people within the EU framework, including developing

20 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL Photo: IISD/Mike Muzurakis (enb.iisd.org/oceans/marine-regions-forum/2019/1oct.html) factsheets and a web site, a roadmap for a EU-Saami committee Agneta Granström, Marthe Svensen from Week, participation in various EU processes that have a Troms county municipality and chair of the Swedish direct impact on Saami culture. The grant has covered Saami Association Niila Inga. The seminar was very among other things, salaries, travel costs and partici- well received and had 40 participants. pation and contributions to the EU’s annual Indigenous Dialogue, the EU’s Arctic Stakeholder Forum, the Ma- rine Regions Forum and the Arctic Future Symposium.

6.4 INDYLAN – mobile virtual learning for indi- genous languages The Saami Council has received project funding from the EU Erasmus program to develop a language app for learning Northern Saami. The language app is for a beginner level and will contain 4,000 words, 700 phrases and 20 inspirational conversations. It will also have a section for culture. The project period is from October 2019 until November 2021. The language app will be launched in November 2021.. Partners in the project are Heriot-Watt University (lead), Learnme- ra Oy, Cornwall Council and Asociación Moviéndote for the Integración y la Participación Ciudadana. Áile Jávo is a member of the project’s steering committee. A project employee will be hired on an hourly basis to work on translating the content of the app.

6.5 EU-seminar i Tromsø The Saami Council organized a EU seminar in Trom- sø in February 2019. The purpose of the seminar was to increase knowledge of the EU to the Saami Co- uncil’s member organizations and other actors, but also to provide input to the Saami Council’s work on EU related issues. The program included MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen (via Skype), Member of the EU’s regional

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 21 7. OTHER ISSUES

The Saami Council has also been conscious of includ- States shall facilitate and ing youth in our delegations to selected international meetings. We strongly believe that this is the best way enable the Saami to co- to build competence, while it at the same time is an enrichment for the Saami Council, as youth often bring operate across borders in all new perspectives. areas, including trade. The Saami Council has also organized a writing com- petition for children and youth, as well as organized – TRÅANTE DECLARATION, TRÅANTE 2017 the very first Arctic Youth Leaders Summit. These are described in more detail above.

7.2 Communication In the fall of 2019, the Saami Council was unexpect- edly told that we must either move or renew our web- sites for technical reasons. This entails large additional costs, which were not budgeted. We have started the work, and the new pages are expected to be ready in February 2020.

The Saami Council has actively used both the website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in our communica- tion work. The Facebook page serves as a conven- ient and fast communication channel for information about meetings and other activities. Through this site we reach out to many. There are now 4412 following the Saami Council on Facebook. This is approximately 1400 more than last year. On Twitter, the Saami Coun- cil has 1447 followers. This is 300 more than last year. Photo: Linnea Nordström On Instagram, the Saami Council has 1290 followers. This is twice as many as last year. 7.1 Youth initiative The Saami Council has continued with its youth initia- In December 2019, the Saami Council hired Piera Heai- tive. We have had trainees that have got the chance to ka Muotka as communications officer. We have for a get familiar with the various parts of the Saami Coun- long time identified a need for a dedicated employee cil’s activities, both at the secretariat and in the units. who is responsible for the communication work. This is They have also learned a lot about the saami society a time-consuming task, and we have experienced that and international indigenous issues, while at the same the other employees often do not have enough time time gaining useful work experience. Inga Margrete to prioritize this work during hectic office hours. There- Lillevoll was hired as trainee until May, while Enni fore, we now have great faith in a more thorough and Similä started as a trainee in August. Both the trainees systematic communication work for the organization. and the Saami Council have good experiences with this initiative.

22 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 7.3 Follow up of issues from 21. Saami Conference The Saami Council has done its best to follow up the decisions of the Saami Conference in Tråante.

7.3.1 Forestry in Sápmi Forestry has a great impact on the land use in Sápmi and on the Sami livelihoods. So far, the Saami Coun- cil has not had any separate work focusing on forest issues. At the Saami Conference in Tråante in Febru- ary 2017, a resolution was adopted in which the Saami Council is asked to actively work on these issues. The Saami Council has gathered experts and engaged people who can help us get an overall picture of the forestry situation in the different countries. An initial meeting was held in February 2019. It was then a common understanding that this needs to be a long- term work that involves several disciplines. The Saami Council continues to work on the matter and has planned a follow-up meeting in the spring of 2020.

7.3.2 Language year The 21. Saami Conference asked the Saami Council to work actively on strengthening saami languages. This was linked to the International Year of Indigenous Lan- guages in 2019. The Saami Council has had several ac- tivities connected to this: • Writing competition for saami children and youth aged 6 and 30 years. • Translated and published two children books in collaboration with Gïelem nastedh and Trøndelag County Library. • Participated in two language seminars in Tromsø and Enare. • Joined a project to develop a language-learning app. • Arranged a language workshop in Nesseby.

7.3.3 Saami research ethics The Saami Council discussed the matter at its meet- ing in Tromsø in February 2019 and decided to initi- ate a work to establish common ethical guidelines for Saami related research and to explore the possibility of establishing a joint research ethics committee as a long term goal. The issue will be followed up in the coming years.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL 23 8. ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE PROSPECTS

The Saami Council aims to strengthen the Saami so- ciety’s cohesion across national borders. There is still a long way to go. The national borders have created divisions that are deeply rooted. The Saami Council sees it as a first challenge to get the Saami parlia- ments, Saami institutions and Saami media to work across national borders.

The international work is important for the Saami Council. Internationally, we promote both Saami rights issues, but we also focus on the situation for other in- digenous peoples and promote indigenous issues on a more general level. The Saami Council experiences a great interest in Arctic issues, and that this is a pri- ority area for the states and funders. It is a lot more difficult to get support for our human rights work, as this is not a priority for the states. The Saami Council has got a large grant from the Interreg programme to strengthen its work towards the EU. The project will continue until 2022 and we have high hopes that it will bring good results. Within the cultural sector, it is expected that work on the duodji trademark will still take a lot of time and effort in the coming years. The first challenge now is to get funding for the work. The Arctic and Environmental unit has a heavy work load and needs to increase capacity to be able to delve into all the processes and issues that are on going and which are relevant to the Saami. The Saami Council has also a number of activities and projects that run over several years.

24 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | THE SAAMI COUNCIL