This summer, the 700-page long report was compiled by the Norwegian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in which several examples of the Norwegianization policy such as Sami, Forest Finns, Norwegian Finns and Kvänen were historically exposed.
In order to remedy the damage caused by history, the priest Gyrid Gunnes wants a professorship in Sami spirituality to be established as this does not exist today in Norway, reports NRK Sápmi.
– The Sami are unique in Norway and money should be earmarked directly for this, instead of money being given from research to something that is to be researched. In a professorship, you institutionalize this, she says.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has concluded that there is a need for the Church to address past injustices and innovations committed within the priesthood.
Gunnes believes that a professorship makes it possible for a person to devote all of their research time to Sami spirituality.
– It will be a step on the way towards institutionalizing that Sami spiritual traditions and practices are treated in the same way as the Norwegian ones, she says.