During the week, World Water Week takes place in Stockholm and Sáminuorra was present at the opening ceremony.
They were also involved in organizing a seminar about indigenous youth from Sápmi and other parts of the world.
– One impression that I take with me is that the focus on indigenous people has become greater in the years I have been involved. But there is a gap in the indigenous issues that exist, people need to learn more and take more consideration. But I think it gets better and better every year, says Aana Edmondsson, board member Sáminuorra.
“We are the last generation”
During the panel discussion, there was a story that made an extra big impression on her.
– It was someone from Canada who talked about what she had heard from her grandparents, stories about big, powerful salmon that she had never seen for herself until recently because this salmon species is dying out. It’s something I recognize from Sápmi, we hear stories about our nature but now much of our nature is destroyed. We are the last generation to take these stories with us if we don’t pass them on.
Tilde Renman, also a board member in Sáminuorra, has participated in several seminars during World Water Week and also led a seminar.
After the conversation, she felt that inclusion is something that needs to be worked on more.
– I am thinking about inclusion of young people in general, but especially indigenous youth. During our panel discussion, it was mostly indigenous people who were there and participated. But it is also important that the water sector takes into account and comes and listens to us and takes its time. So it doesn’t just become like a box that you tick off.
“Less than a fifth”
During the conversation, Renman asked the audience how many came from the water sector.
– But it is difficult to say an exact number about how many people raised their hands, but it was less than a fifth of the audience who came from the water sector, she says.
Another participant was Jaren Numkena, who is from Tuba City, Arizona. It was the first time he visited Sweden.
– The event is much bigger than I thought before. I didn’t realize that there would be so many people from different parts of the world.
What do you have to say about the panel discussion you attended?
– We talked about our personal stories about water, but also the work we do around the so-called green colonialism, he says.