Many abandoned their Sami identity during the 20th century. Some families went so far as to burn their Sami objects – after bad experiences with everything from racial biology research and bans on speaking Sami at school.
But now more and more people are starting to take it back. One of them is Emma Björn Basayne.
“More whole as a person”
She grew up without knowledge of her grandmother’s roots in the Fjällström family in Vilhelmina. Grandma’s father had burned the family’s Sami objects, but grandma had saved a necklace that Emma got as a graduation present – and then a new world opened up.
The jewelry led her to start doing research. And today she identifies as Sami.
– I think it has been very good for me, she says in this week’s 15 minutes from Sápmi.
She sews colts for people
However, taking back one’s identity is not always easy. Anna-Stina Svakko is a craftswoman and often helps people in these situations by sewing colts for them. A job that also requires genealogical research for her to know how cold the person should be.
It can sometimes be difficult for people to find information about their background. And without it, it is not only difficult to sew a colt – but it can also be difficult to get into Sami society.
– Many have worked for several years with it. You have to feel that you know your family and can answer when other Sami people ask. It is also connected with security and proximity to its background, says Svakko.
As an adult, she herself has reclaimed the Sami language.
– For me, the colt was important, because it was the only way to show my Sami belonging before I learned the language.
“Showing the outside world”
Siv Kvernmo, Sami child psychiatrist and researcher, agrees with the importance of the coal.
– You show the outside world who you are, it can be experienced as very difficult and you show yourself vulnerable. Then it is an important step to mark that you have a Sami identity.
See this week’s 15 minutes from Sápmi on Saturday at 17.00 in SVT2. Or on SVT Play.