Greta Thunberg donates prize money to Finnish Sámi youth organisation
The Finnish Sámi Youth (SSN) organisation said it was surprised by the news that Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg would donate 30,000 euros of prize money to the organisation.
The prize money comes from an award bestowed upon Thunberg by the Finnish moving services firm Niemi Services Ltd.
“I am extremely honoured to receive the Maailmanmuuttaja award. I am also extremely glad that the money will be going to the Finnish Sámi Youth organisation and supporting them in their work,” Thunberg said in a video message.
In passing on the prize money to the Sámi NGO, Thunberg drew attention to indigenous peoples as being on the frontlines of climate change.
“Indigenous peoples all over the world are on the forefront of the climate emergency, but they are also the ones leading the fight against it. So investing in them and their knowledge is essentially climate protection,” the firebrand climate activist said.
In the past, Thunberg has turned down prizes and money from organisations she has deemed irresponsible in combating climate change.
Previous recipients of Niemi’s award include former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari for his Nobel Peace Prize winning work.
Related stories from around the North:
Arctic: “Our climate is changing before our eyes,” says WMO upon release of new report, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Sami Parliament in Finland publishes digital guide for responsible tourism in Lapland, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Will the green transition be the new economic motor in the Arctic?, Eye on the Arctic
Russia: Russian Sami activist protesting Ukrainian conflict seeks asylum in Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: UN experts call on Sweden to halt mining project on Indigenous Sami land, Eye on the Arctic
World: Greta Thunberg: Pandemic shows how we could act on climate crisis, Radio Sweden
