Saami Cultural Studies

Saami cultural studies was established as a major academic subject of its own in 2004 when Saami language and Saami cultural studies culture were split into two major subjects. The cultural research profile of the institute has been the outcome of the research of the individuals in its cultural research staff which in 2007 consisted of one professor (Veli-Pekka Lehtola), one lecturer (Anni-Siiri Länsman), two researchers in a project coordinated by the Giellagas Institute (Päivi Magga and Tuula Tuisku), and the advanced doctoral students whose studies have appeared as publications of various kinds.

In Saami cultural studies the main research themes have been recent history of ethnic relations in the Saami area, indigenous concepts of cultural environment, and modern Saami identity reflected in politics, media and art. One research theme has been the study of Saami-Finnish relations from the perspective of land use, focusing on indigenous perceptions, interpretations and strategies concerning the relations between environment, landscape and culture. For a point of comparison perspectives from another arctic context, also the “adaptation” or “transition” of the Nenets people in Russia has been studied. Ethnic relations have been studied from comparative perspectives, when examining the position of Saami language and Saami culture in the educational policy from the point of linguistic rights in the three Nordic countries, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The emic perspective in Saami cultural studies has began developing only recently, and there is a multitude of research issues that would require focusing. The wide range of research issues makes it possible to launch innovative interdisciplinary research strategies and concentrate on interesting and motivating themes. The recently strengthened trend in emic orientated research in Saami cultural studies also means that Giellagas Institute has quite a strong position in creating infrastructures for Saami studies that are still taking form. With the close relationships to Saami society, the Giellagas Institute has created active research networks both nationally and on a Nordic level.