Buriid juovllaid ja lihkolaš ođđa jagi 2021!
Pyereh juovlah já luholâš uđđâ ihe 2021!
Šiõǥǥ rosttvid da leklvaž ođđ eeʹjj 2021!
Hyvää joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta 2021!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2021!
Illustration: Erja Wiltse
Sámi Parliament’s Call Center is Closed 23-31 December 2020.
Are you a current or recent student studying art, animation, computer graphics, and film?
Walt Disney Animation Studios are inviting students from Sápmi to apply as an intern for the Walt Disney Animation Studios Summer Internship Program 2021. As a Talent Development intern, you will have the unique opportunity to work directly with a Disney mentor as you explore all aspects of art, storytelling, and filmmaking.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Summer Internship Program is a
12 week program paid experience designed for students studying art, animation, computer graphics, and film. Please note, the safety and well-being of our teams is very important to us. We will be determining whether this program will be in-person at our Burbank, CA studio or virtual in the coming months based on government recommendations.
Read more about their internship program and requirements here:
The deadline for applications is 1/24/2021, 11:59 PM PST.
The internship form Sámi areas can apply for a10.000$ travel grant, funded by The Saami Council and the Sámi parliaments. The applicant must have Sámi background, meets Disney’s requirements for internships and should have a plan for how to bring the knowledge back to the Sami community, such as through social media, lectures etc. Write an application, max 1 page, explaining your applicant basis and how to meet our travel grant requirements.
Send your application for travel grant marked with “WDAS internship” to: kmr@saamicouncil.net.
The deadline for travel applications is 1/24/2021, 11:59 PM PST.
– We are pleased that this unique opportunity will present itself in 2021, either digitally or locally at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Los Angeles. Many good applications were received from Sápmi last year, but due to Covid-19, the internship scheme in 2020 was postponed. We therefore hope that those who had applied last year will consider applying again. We are happy to be able to contribute to a very exciting exchange opportunity, says Aili Keskitalo (President of the Sámi Parliament in Norway), Tuomas Aslak Juuso (President of the Sámi Parliament in Finland), Per-Olof Nutti (President of the Sámi Parliament in Sweden) and Åsa Larsson-Blind (Vice President of the Sámi Council) in a joint statement.
Contact information:
Aili Keskitalo,
Phone: +47 97129305
E-mail: aili.keskitalo@samediggi.no
Tuomas Aslak Juuso
Phone: +358 406873394
E-mail: tuomas.juuso@samediggi.fi
Per-Olof Nutti
Phone: +46 703763112
E-mail: Per-Olof.Nutti@sametinget.se
Åsa Larsson-Blind,
Phone: +46 702543356
E-mail: asa@saamicouncil.net
Contact info about the internship and travel grant:
Christina Hætta, The Saami Council
Phone: +47 48021734
E-mail: kmr@saamicouncil.net
Buori iehčanasvuođabeaivvi!
Šiev jiečânâsvuođâpeivi!
Šiõǥǥ jiõččnažvuõttpeeiʹv!
Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää!
Happy Independence Day Finland!
The negotiations on the Climate Change Act between the Ministry of the Environment and the Sámi Parliament under section 9 of the Act on the Sámi Parliament were held on Tuesday 27 October. The Government proposal for the reformed Climate Change Act should be ready in spring 2021.
In the negotiations the representatives of the Sámi Parliament presented their views on how the rights of the Sámi people should be taken into account in the Climate Change Act.
“Climate change is a very serious threat especially to the Sámi culture and its traditional nature-based livelihoods. In the reform of the Climate Change Act we want to strengthen the rights of the Sámi as an indigenous people and their opportunities to participate in climate policy,” says Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen, who also took part in the negotiations.
The topics raised included the importance of climate change adaptation and support for this, and the need to create a knowledge base, expert assessments and monitoring related to the impacts of climate change from the perspective of the Sámi people.
“I wish to thank Minister Mikkonen for participating in the negotiations with the Sámi Parliament in person, which is quite exceptional. For developing a climate policy of and for the Sámi people, it is important to include a climate panel and climate change adaptation programme of the Sámi people in the Climate Change Act. Taking the rights of the Sámi people more broadly into account in the Climate Change Act is most welcome, as well as highly necessary,” says Tuomas Aslak Juuso, President of the Sámi Parliament.
A public online consultation is currently open to collect the citizens’ views. The consultation consists of two surveys, and in one of these the key focus is on how the rights of the Sámi people should be incorporated into the Climate Change Act.
The surveys are available on the Otakantaa website, also in the Sámi languages. They will be open until 12 November 2020. A summary of the replies will be compiled and delivered to the working group tasked with preparing the new Act and published on the Ministry of the Environment website.
Riikka Yliluoma, Special Adviser to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, tel. +358 295 250 091, riikka.yliluoma@ym.fi
Leena Ylä-Mononen, Director General, chair of the working group reforming the Climate Change Act, Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358 295 250 023, leena.yla-mononen@ym.fi
Tiina Lovisa Solbär, Environmental Secretary, Sámi Parliament, tel. +358 10 839 3184, tiinalovisa.solbaer@samediggi.fi
Tuomas Aslak Juuso, President, Sámi Parliament, tel. +358 10 839 3101, tuomas.juuso@samediggi.fi
Read more about the Climate Change Act and its reform on the Ministry of the Environment website
Sámi Parliament wishes a great summer to everyone!
The Sámi Parliament in Finland participates in the International Biodiversity Theme Week 18-22 May by publishing a video every day of the week related to biodiversity and Sámi culture. Themes of the week have been applied to Sámi culture, and the aim is to raise issues that are important to Sámi culture in relation to biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD). The purpose of the day is to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity and its significance.
This year, Biodiversity Day will extend to a full week. Each day of the week has its own biodiversity theme, linked to the main themes of international biodiversity work. During the week, comprehensive nature communication will take place all around the world.
Mon 18th: Traditional knowledge and its meaning for biodiversity.
Tue 19th: Biodiversity, protected areas and traditional livelihoods.
Wed 20th: Biodiversity, traditional food, fishing, and food security.
Thu 21st: Biodiversity and culture: handcrafts.
Fri 22th: Actions to prevent biodiversity loss from a Sámi perspective.
You can use tags in social media #BiodiversityDay #Biodiversity #BiologicalDiversity
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environments and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Finland ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994. The objectives of the convention are the conservation of the biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources.
Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity obliges Parties to protect indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge relevant to biological diversity. The article requires Parties to respect, protect and maintain, in accordance with their national legislation, the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous people and local communities relevant for the conservation of biological diversity, and to promote their wider application with the approval of knowledge holders and to encourage equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological diversity. In Finland, the obligations outlined in the article apply to the Sámi people.
The year 2020 is so-called super year of the biodiversity. During the year, a new global biodiversity framework (post-2020 global biodiversity framework) will be negotiated and a UN Summit on biodiversity will be organised. In addition, a meeting of the parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) was to be held in China, but the conference has been postponed to the next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Tuomas Aslak Juuso, +358 40 687 3394, tuomas.juuso(at)samediggi.fi
Secretary for International Affairs Inka Saara Arttijeff, +358 50 574 7629, inka-saara.arttijeff(at)samediggi.fi
The Sámi Parliament, in partnership with three other Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, the Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica (COICA), the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), and the Asia Indigenous People’s Pact (AIPP), organized a dialogue meeting on the process of enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the UN. Taking place in Quito, Ecuador, from 27 to 30 January 2020, the four-day meeting was attended by 30 representatives of Indigenous Peoples from around the world, as well as representatives of so-called friendly states. Its’ purpose was important: to discuss the UN process, find a common position for Indigenous Peoples for future work, and strengthen the dialogue with the member states. The Sámi Parliament led the preparation, coordination, and logistics of the meeting, including coordinating funding from Norway, Canada and Finland.
The meeting was chaired by President Tuomas Aslak Juuso and Estebancio Castro Diaz, a Kuna from Panama.
Indigenous peoples representatives from around the world participated in the meeting.
For context, the enhancement of Indigenous Peoples’ right to participate in the UN is an important and enduring process. In 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted the first resolution (A/RES/71/321) on the process of enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples, but it has not yet taken any tangible steps to improve the participation of Indigenous Peoples. The process remains important, as it works to strengthen and support the ability of Indigenous Peoples to exercise their right to self-determination at an international level. This is particularly important for the Sámi Parliament and other similar institutions representing indigenous peoples, which currently lack their own proper place in the international community.
Discussions in Quito were founded on and guided by the UN human rights treaties, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Outcome Document of the World Conference of Indigenous Peoples as well as the background material for the preparation of the outcome document. According to the UNGA resolution, the process must continue, which motivated the meeting coordinated by the Sámi Parliament.
The Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica (COICA) organised a spiritual ceremony for the participants.
Over the course of the meeting, Indigenous Peoples and their representatives discussed the process that led to the adoption of the 2017 UNGA resolution, the current context, and future priorities. Its timing was strategic, as Indigenous Peoples’ representatives identified important priorities, strategies, and positions for the upcoming process. Following an internal dialogue amongst Indigenous Peoples, a conversation was held with representatives of the so-called friendly states, including Finland.
To maintain momentum, the Indigenous Peoples’ representatives drafted an outcome document, providing direction and expectation for the participation process. It draws on recent decisions at the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, including the appointment of advisors to the General Assembly process, and charts out a constructive path forward for the internal coordination of Indigenous Peoples.
Tuomas Aslak Juuso, President, +35840 687 3394, tuomas.juuso(at)samediggi.fi
Inka Saara Arttijeff, Secretary for International Affairs, +35850 5747629, inka-saara.arttijeff(at)samediggi.fi
Interreg Nord sávvá buresboahtima konferánsii
Rájehis vejolašvuoðat Sámis
Njukčamánu 11-12 b. 2020 Jåhkåmåhkis
Interreg Nord welcomes you to the conference
Borderless opportunities for Sápmi
March 11-12, 2020 in Jokkmokk
Accommodation
Reservations are made at Hotel Jokkmokk.
Booking and payment: info@hoteljokkmokk.se Please use the code Interreg Nord.
Make your booking by the 11th of February at the latest.
Saturday – Sunday 15.-16.2.2020, Sajos Inari
Back-to-back with the UNPFII pre-meeting there is unique opportunity to take part in training focusing on indigenous rights and reconciliation. Some of the world leading practitioners on indigenous reconciliation will be available for peer-training. The training is also opportunity to engage more with the Sámi Parliaments and Truth and Reconciliation Processes and their lessons learned.
In Finland there has been training for Insider Reconcilers, which can lead community based dialogues and healing practices. Also in Finland, and echoing progress in Norway and Sweden, there is progress towards the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine the history of abuse suffered by Sami peoples in their relationship with the Finnish state, seeking to establish a new, reconciled relationship.
The training is also linked to a future UNPFII working group on indigenous reconciliation practices, which aims to collect best practices worldwide and assist indigenous reconciliation processes with peer support and process design assistance.
9 am Opening remarks and introductions, Anne Nuorgam, President of UNPFII
9.15 am Healing the past for the future – presenting video by Bob Cohen
9:30 am Workshop 1: Are we finding the truth and can there be reconciliation?
– Introduction to the Nordic Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Processes
President Tiina Sanila-Aikio, Sámi Parliament in Finland
President Per-Olof Nutti, Sámi Parliament in Sweden
President Aili Keskitalo, Sámi Parliament in Norway
11 am Workshop 2: Truth Commissions and survival of Indigenous People, Eduardo Gonzalez, Independent Expert
a) Truth commission definition and comparative examples
b) Truth commission legal mandates, powers and composition
12 – 1 pm Lunch
1 pm Workshop 2: Indigenous Peoples and Truth Commissions
a) Examples of truth commissions that have dealt with the experience of indigenous peoples
b) The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Truth Commissions
2-4 pm Workshop 3: Identifying critical questions and lessons learned
– Peer-training on Indigenous Truth Commissions. Group exercise to discuss the following questions:
a) What should be the priorities of the Sami Truth Commission?
b) How to ensure that the Truth Commission will have legitimacy among the Sami
c) How to ensure that the Truth Commission will have support among the non-Sami Finns?
d) What are the products that we expect from the Truth Commission, and how should we use them?
9 am Recap of previous day
9.30 am Contextualizing reconciliation and utilizing lessons learned, Antti Pentikäinen, Research Professor, Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation at George Mason University
10.30 am Workshop 4: Identifying critical questions and lessons learned
– Peer training on Indigenous Reconciliation Practices
12-1 pm Lunch
1-3 pm Workshop 5: Process design and utilizing lessons learned
– Each participants reflects on their individual cases and receives couching from the peer-trainers
3 pm Introducing the UNPFII working group and providing guidance for it, Anne Nuorgam
4 pm Closing
The training is organized on the request of UNPFII President Anne Nuorgam and will be co-facilitated by Independent Expert Eduardo Gonzalez and Research Professor Antti Pentikainen. For further inquiries feel free to contact eduardo@gonzalezc.com or apentika@gmu.edu.
Helpful reading
https://www.ictj.org/sites/default/files/ICTJ-Report-DraftingMandate-Truth-Commission-2013_0.pdf
https://www.daghammarskjold.se/publication/dialogue-in-peacebuilding/ (From page 208)
Please Note!
The training is free, but requires a binding registration sari.enkkela@hdl.fi by 7th of February 2020.
Lunch, accommondation and travel at own expense.