Ol-Johán Sikku, Övre Soppero was chairman between 1985-89 and Jörgen Stenberg, Malå between 1995-1997.
What was the best memory during your time in Sáminuorra?
Jorgen: I remember the actions, for example the umbrella demonstration. There were 15 of us young people who walked with umbrellas during the inauguration of the Riksdag when the members of the Riksdag came out of the Storkyrkan. Then we unfolded the umbrellas with our slogans. A demonstration does not change anything in substance, but is a way of constantly reminding that there is dissatisfaction.
Ol-Johan: I think it was when we organized the sports camp in Tärnaby during the late 80s. Nothing like this had been done before. We had sought money for 40 participants, but the interest was so great, in the end there were over 80 young people from all over Sweden.
What is the difference from Sáminuorra then and now?
Ol-Johan: When I started, the organization was quite small, so we had to work hard to get more members. During two years, we visited every Sami village and Sami association and informed and recruited members. The project was very successful.
What was the biggest challenge?
Jorgen: Before the Sami Parliament, Sáminuorra had a given role in the political sphere. Then it was SSR, Same Ätnam and Sáminuorra who pushed various issues. So when the Sámi Parliament started to pursue political issues, the youth association ended up in a vacuum as party-politically unbound, we were treading air for a while before we found the role again.
What has your background in Sáminuorra meant for the person you are today?
Jorgen: Extremely much! I have acquaintances in every Sámi village and in many reindeer herding districts on the Norwegian side and it is a fruit of Sáminuorra’s time. The most important work is to connect people, that young people get a network.
What will Sáminuorra look like in 60 years?
Ol-Johan: Sami youth will continue to work with Sami issues, just like today. But I think at the same time that you have to work a lot more on issues of identity and culture, because if that disappears, then our culture and soul will disappear.