Legal battle over hunting and fishing in Sweden’s far north

The Sami, organised into villages, are the only ones with the right to herd reindeer in Sweden. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images)
A legal battle between the Swedish state and a Sami community in the far north is heading to the Supreme Court.

The Sami village of Girjas won a court battle last month with the Swedish state over hunting and fishing rights in its territory.

The appeals court said the group has a “better right” than the state to control the small game hunting and fishing there but not the sole right.

Now both sides are appealing the ruling to the supreme court.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada:  Economic development in the North: The taboo no one wants to talk about, Blog by Heather Exner-Pirot

Greenland: What the EU seal ban has meant for Inuit communities in the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic

Finland:  Sami group occupies island in northern Finland to protest fishing rules, Yle News

Norway:National Sámi Day celebrated across several nations, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia: More protected lands on Nenets tundra in Arctic Russia, The Independent Barents Observer

Sweden: Appeal court: Samis have ‘better right’ than Swedish state to control hunting and fishing on its land, Radio Sweden

United States: When US Senators listen to Arctic voices, only some resonate, Alaska Public Media

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