Hopeful, but Worried for the Future

An Analysis of the Lived Consequences of Colonisation as Narrated by Older South Sámi in Norway

Dados Bibliográficos

ID13024399
AutoresTove Mentsen Ness (0000-0002-2124-5387, Nord University, autor correspondente), Mai Camilla Munkejord (0000-0002-5700-7639, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)
Ano2024
Volume14
Fascículo5
Páginas71-71
Data de publicação2024-05-17
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSocieties (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2075-4698 • E-ISSN: 2075-4698
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/soc14050071
OpenAlexW4397010235
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas30

Various forms of colonisation and discrimination processes are unfortunately common to Indigenous Peoples worldwide. In this article, the focus is the lived consequences of colonisation in the Norwegian part of Sápmi (the Sámi traditional lands), where systematic state-imposed colonisation officially ended decades ago. Thus, based on a thematic analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews with 12 South Sámi aged 67–84, the aim was to examine how stories about hopes and worries for the future can shed light on how colonisation is experienced among older South Sámi today. The voices of these participants are important, as they can be considered triply muted, due to (a) ageism and (b) continued yet unconscious colonising practices against the Sámi in general and (c) against the South Sámi people in particular, a minority within the minority. Inspired by decolonising perspectives, this article reveals that older South Sámi are worried for the future, not only due to memories from the past but also their experiences with persisting colonial practices such as the ongoing enlargement of windmill parks and cabin areas in the midst of the winter pastures of the South Sámi reindeer herders. Hopefully, the time has come to finally put an end to colonial practices and take collective responsibility for creating a more just future for both coloniser and colonised. Similarly to the participants in this study, the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission also stresses issues such as loss of language, experience of racism, and reindeer husbandry being under pressure. This report may therefore be used as an important tool to ameliorate the conditions of the Sámi people if taken into consideration in the time to come

Archaeology · Colonisation · Colonization · History · Indigenous Studies and Ecology · Psychology · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics