Great concern in Sápmi after NATO entry: “Don’t understand reindeer husbandry”

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Both Sweden and Finland have now become members of NATO.

But in Sápmi there is great concern about NATO membership – and what it will mean for Sami society and reindeer husbandry.

Sweden and NATO

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    • – We are not completely positive. We become designated targets in the event of an attack and we have no preparedness. There will be more exercises, even foreign associations that don’t really understand reindeer husbandry, says Jan Rannerud, chairman of the Sami Parliament’s reindeer husbandry committee, in the season premiere of 15 minutes from Sápmi.

    “More traffic at the border”

    Finland has seen some changes since joining NATO.

    – The reindeer herders have seen that traffic at the eastern border has increased. It affects reindeer husbandry because there are unused pastures on the Russian border. In some places, Finland has put up fences with modern technology, says Tina Sanila Aikio, president of the association Sámi Bálgosat in Finnish Sápmi and continues:

    – I fear what the general defense agreement with the United States will entail. We don’t have exact information about it, but one of the areas that Finland has opened to the US is Ivalo in Finnish Sápmi. There have been no consultations about it, not even with the Sámi Parliament.

    “Concern for reindeer husbandry”

    Sweden has also entered into an agreement with the USA.

    – I have raised the issue with the ministry, but for various reasons they cannot answer, so I do not know the content other than that you undertake to provide training ground. It is a concern for the reindeer industry, says Rannerud.

    But both agree that through dialogue and collaboration, the reindeer industry can cooperate with NATO.

    – If the state and the Defense respect our rights to the lands and follow the principles of the UN Convention on Indigenous Peoples, then we can cooperate. Rules are needed for how the collaboration is to be carried out. We also need to know that any additional costs and damages are compensated, says Sanila Aikio.

    SVT Sápmi has contacted the armed forces, who have promised to get back to you about a possible interview.

    See this week’s 15 minutes from Sápmi on Saturday at 16:05 in SVT2. Or already from Saturday morning on SVT Play.

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