Growing military presence burden Sámi livelihood
In addition to more frequent military exercises, the geopolitical situation has led to prioritised infrastructure projects in the region that could come in conflict with reindeer herding, according to a new report.
Increased militarisation of the Nordic part of Sápmi is good for national security, but does not necessarily a benefit reindeer herders. High-valued grazing land competes with a growing number of military exercises over larger areas, the new special report for the Finnish Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission outlines.
Since the Finnish and Swedish NATO accession, the whole of Sápmi apart from the Kola peninsula is now controlled by the alliance.
The author of the report, professor Laura Junka-Aikio from the University of Lapland, writes that the Sámi are as worried about security as the rest of the population, but that the increased military activity has brought challenges to the self-determination of the people.
Junka-Aikio raises the point of the genuine willingness for cooperation from the Sámi side. The Sámi have a lot of knowledge that would benefit the Finnish military. These include making operations more ecologically sustainable as well as ensuring functional capacity in different circumstances and weather conditions.
They are especially concerned about national security decisions overriding the previous well-established system of negotiation as well as the competing land use, which lays a burden on reindeer herding. Junka-Aikio says that she was surprised to see how the indigenous rights have systematically been overlooked on all levels of decision making.
“The report outlines key actions to prevent the accelerating colonisation of Sápmi, assimilation and the ceasing of traditional livelihoods,” Junka-Aikio writes.
The report highlights that while problems exist in Finland, many of the solutions are already common practice in Norway. Sámi reindeer herders have helped the Norwegian troops as guides and educators during military exercises.
In addition to more frequent military exercises, the geopolitical situation has led to prioritised infrastructure projects in the region, the report notes. This includes bigger roads, new railways and other construction projects in areas of importance for reindeer herding.
