Swedish Sami and hunters react to historic win over state in land use case
The Supreme Court, in Stockholm, was packed with people, most in traditional Sami dress, waiting for the result of a court case over land rights that they have been pursuing for ten years against the Swedish state. If they lost, they’d have to pay legal costs of 30 million kronor.
“Wow. We made it,” was the reaction of the chair of the Girjas Sami community, Matti Blind Berg.
But for the hunters’ association, Anders Iacobaeus says the government now needs to bring clarity on how hunting and fishing licenses are to be handled.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canadian Indigenous leaders stress need for less “colonial” approach to caribou conservation in North, CBC News
Finland: The Arctic railway: Building a future… or destroying a culture?, Eye on the Arctic special report
Russia: Authorities in northwest Russia move to protect wild reindeer, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sami indigenous village wins historic land use case over Swedish state, Radio Sweden
United States: Bill to protect ANWR passes early hurdle in Washington, CBC News
