Language lecturer voted Finland’s Sámi of the Year
(Pirita Näkkäläjärvi / Yle)
Sámi language and culture lecturer Outi Länsman was named Finland’s first Sámi of the Year on Saturday at the Turku Book Fair.
A panel of eight Sámi organisations conferred the honour on Länsman for what they described as “being open-minded, keeping her eye on the future and highlighting the essence of the Sámi with a positive spirit”.
Raising visibility of Sámi culture
Länsman said she wants to advance awareness of the Sámi people among Finns and future generations and to encourage the Sámi to embrace their culture and become familiar with Sámi issues.
“I hope that Finns will get to know Sámi culture and that awareness of the Sámi as the EU’s only indigenous group grows. This will ensure that we give the Sámi a greater voice and create opportunities to strengthen the status of the Sámi in Finland,” Länsman said.
Born into reindeer herding family
The 43 year-old was born into a reindeer herding family in the town of Angeli in Inari, northern Finland. She graduated with a master’s degree in arts from the University of Oulu and worked as a Sámi language lecturer with the university’s Giellagas Institute from 2004 to 2009.
She then moved on to the Sámi Education Centre, where she continues to teach Sámi language and culture. In addition to teaching, she is a spokesperson for Sámi affairs. Länsman is also a reindeer herder and enjoys handicraft.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canadian Inuit leader receives intn’l award, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: UN rep. urges suspension of Sámi elections, Yle News
Greenland: What the EU seal ban has meant for Inuit communities in the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway visa rules worry indigenous peoples, Barents Observer
Sweden: Sami demand rights as indigenous people, Radio Sweden
Russia: Russia brands Arctic indigenous organization as “foreign agent”, Barents Observer
United States: Arctic conference spotlights indigenous issues, Alaska Dispatch News
