Since 1994, international indigenous peoples’ day has received worldwide attention, when the UN General Assembly decided that Indigenous Peoples’ Day should be celebrated every year. At Naturum Laponia in Stuor Muorkke in Jokkmokk municipality, the day is commemorated with a speech from municipal councilor Henrik Blind, cake and a concert by the music group Jarŋŋa.
– It is our day and we think it is very important to pay attention to the day. We are in a Sami area and we have a lot of tourists. It’s great for them to get information about indigenous people and the Sami, says Fia Kaddik, cafe manager at Naturum Laponia.
Laonia cake is served
And in honor of the day, cake is served.
– I came up with the idea that we should bake a “Laponia cake”, with the ingredients we have here; gooseberries, blueberries and cream. We want to make it a bit festive!, says Fia Kaddik.
Tráhppie in Ubmeje (Umeå) will also commemorate the day with song and music.
No celebration on the part of the Sami Parliament
But there will be no major celebration from either the Sami Parliament in Sweden or the Norwegian Sami Parliament. However, people draw attention to the day via their social media or their website. SVT Sápmi has applied for Sami Parliament chairman Håkan Jonsson and Sami Parliament speaker Daniel Holst Vinka.
– The Sámi Parliament will not celebrate the day in any special way as far as I know, says the Sámi Parliament’s deputy board chairman Stefan Mikaelsson (VUO).
He continues:
– For many years now, I usually write a column and I will do so this year as well. But it is published on my party’s website, says Stefan Mikaelsson, vice chairman of the Sami Parliament and also party leader for the party Vuovdega.