Eeva-Kristiina Nylander

I work as a postdoctoral researcher in Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT) -research programme. I study the meaning of Sámi collections in museums, their role in the past, today and for the future. My research moves between the traditional and contemporary Saami world, studying the relationships between Saami and the collectors from the Saami point of view and how the Saami society remained resilient despite the demonization of the Saami spirituality and philosophy, aggressive collecting, assimilation and other forms of colonialism.

Currently when the thousands of objects taken away from Sápmi return home due to the era of repatriation in European museum world, these collections and the provenance research provide an important source for both parties to deal with painful and unpleasant history they share. This and the following knowledge that returns to Sápmi gives the governance of Cultural Heritage back to Saami people but also creates a unique arena for collective craftivism as a form of resistance. It opens the possibility to cultural continuity and new duodji innovations, but also a possibility to discuss difficult subjects, like colonialism, gender inequalities and violence towards people and nature. Whitin collective working, museum objects or museum duodji is rematriated, it is resocialized to the Sámi communities. Simultaneously working with objects and rematriation can build a bridge towards healing, empowerment and reconciliation, towards a better future.