This summer, the Norwegian Truth and Reconciliation Commission submitted its report. They examined how Norway treated the Sámi, Forest Finns and Kvens – and were able to clearly show how the policy of Norwegianisation had hit the minorities.
At the front of the line were the teachers and priests who would ensure that the children left their languages, their culture – and became as similar to the majority population as possible. This went on from the 1850s until the second half of the 20th century.
– We suspected that there were examples of this. But we didn’t know it was so extensive, so systematic, says Steffen Handal.
Pulled in the ears
Among other things, the children are said to have been beaten, pulled by the ears and ridiculed. In the end, they lost their languages and their culture – just as the authorities had planned.
Three months after the report was presented, this week the Norwegian teachers’ union Utildningsförbundet issued a formal apology from the teachers’ side. With its roughly 190,000 members, it is the largest trade union on the education side.
– This is so serious that we believe it is right to apologize, says Steffen Handal.
The Sámi Parliament: “Very important”
As part of the reconciliation work, Handal believes that all children in Norway should, among other things, learn about Sami cultural expressions. This is something that has already led to an infected debate in Norway when Sami perspectives are included in primary school. And that will also be the case going forward, Handal believes.
– Changes don’t happen without trouble, it will be messy and restless, he says.
The Sami Parliament on the Norwegian side appreciates the apology. Mikkel Eskil Mikkelsen (NSR), on the board of the Sami Parliament, notes that this is the first step for the Norwegian authorities to acknowledge what has happened.
– An apology is very important at the moment, he says to NRK Sápmi.
On the Swedish side, work is also underway with a truth commission that will report its findings in December 2025.