Loga ášši sámegillii. Today, the Storting considered the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report. A grim examination of how Norway has treated the Sami and the national minorities the Kven and the Forest Finns. It all started with a historic apology from the Storting. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report In 2018, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was appointed by the Storting in the summer of 2018. They were to investigate how the state treated the Sami, Kven and Forest Finns in Norway. In the summer of 2023, they submitted a report of over 700 pages to the Storting. Some of the central points they looked at were language loss, attitudes, education, Norwegianisation of names, health, industries, art and culture and religion. Here you can read more about the central points from the report. – Means a lot – I am very satisfied that the Norwegian state and the Storting have stepped in and apologized for the injustice that has occurred. That’s what Lennart Ranberg says to news. He is one of over 700 people who have shared their story about Norwegianization with the commission. TWO OUT OF THREE: Lennart Ranberg and his brother Bengt are two out of approximately three people in Norway who speak Pitesami. Photo: Vetle Mathiesen Knutsen / news – How important is an apology? – It means a lot. At least then the Storting has said okay, we have done an injustice. But Ranberg believes that just an apology is not enough. Many hid their Sami identity as a result of Norwegianization. Ranberg speaks Pitesami and in Norway there are about three people who can speak the language. It has almost disappeared from Norway and Ranberg believes that measures must now be taken so that they can save his language. – Only then can we achieve reconciliation in Sami society. – Our deepest regret Last week, the Storting’s majority agreed on 17 measures to follow up the commission’s report. – We can start the whole thing by expressing a deep regret to all those who have been treated unfairly in connection with the Norwegianization policy and what the previous Storting has done. That’s what Svein Harberg (H), representative of the Storting and case manager in the control and constitutional committee, says. Storting representative and rapporteur in the control and constitution committee Svein Harberg (H). Photo: Ellinor Halvari / news In June 2023, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission delivered its report. It gave a harsh verdict: Language is disappearing, culture is gone, and Norwegianization has left deep wounds in large parts of the population. – Therefore, we apologize on their behalf. It is our deepest regret for what they have experienced, adds Harberg. With 86 to 11 votes, the Storting decided today to apologize to the Sami, the Kven and the Forest Finns. The Storting also voted on a total of 80 proposals on how the report should be followed up. – Big step Leader of Ruijan kvääniliitto – Norwegian women’s association, Kristin Mellem tells news it was touching to be present. Leader of Ruijan kvääniliitto – Norwegian Kveners’ Association, Kristin Mellem. Photo: Simen Wingstad / news – I think I will spend a long time processing what I have experienced today. It is such a big step that you hardly manage to take it all in, she says. In 1997, the king apologized to the Sami. Kvener and forest finners have never received such an apology from the state. Mellem is now moved by the committee’s work: – It is touching and impressive to see how the committee has taken charge of itself and the work, and now a decision has been issued that provides a basis for being able to move forward. – Full of misused opportunities SV leader Kirsti Bergstø says it is a historic day and that she is proud that they were able to rally around the work of following up on the report. – The Storting’s apology goes to all those who were forced to leave their language behind, to all those who had their culture trampled upon. To all those who lost their livelihood, to all who were told that their identity and background were worthless. SV leader Kirsti Bergstø used the opportunity from the podium during the consideration of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s report. Photo: Ellinor Halvari / news She adds: – But today a majority in the Storting can say that it was the Norwegianization policy that was shameful. It is he who is Norway’s disgrace. It is a mixture of pride that Bergstø feels today. – The work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has led to new and deeper awareness in society and Norway about the consequences of the policy of Norwegianization. Nevertheless, Bergstø believes the setting is full of misused opportunities. – We should have been more concrete in the way we work to lift up lost language, lost culture. We did not get a majority for that today, but we will continue to work on it. This is in no way an end, it is a start, says Bergstø. OUTSIDE THE STORTING: A lavvo has been set up outside the Storting. It must function as an equal arena for dialogue. There will be conversations around the fire, exhibitions and tastings of Kven/Norwegian-Finnish, Forest Finnish and Sami traditional dishes. Photo: Ellinor Halvari Going beyond public health Minister for Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery (Ap) focused on the serious consequences that the Norwegianization policy has had. Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery (Ap) directed the focus on the serious consequences that the Norwegianization policy has had. Photo: Kai Rune Kvitstein / news – We must all accept the serious consequences that the Norwegianization policy has had. Then we actually have to say sorry. Even today, Norwegianization has a negative impact on health and living conditions. Jaffery adds: – Many people live with shame about their own background and identity. Many do not dare to express themselves, and we should not have it that way. Will not say sorry Bård Hoksrud (Frp) tells news that he has no problem with giving an apology, but that the Progress Party still does not want to do so. Bård Hoksrud, parliamentary representative for the Progress Party. Photo: Nadir Mohammad Alam / news – We are very clear that we all want to be equal, I think that is important going forward. – For the FRP, it is important to take into account those who now feel that they are worse off in many ways, and feel that they are not getting ahead with creating new businesses. Because it is a small minority group that has actually gained a lot of power and it is hindering development. – Well prepared – This is a historic day, it is one of the most important matters we have dealt with since the Sámi Parliament was founded. That’s what President of the Sami Parliament Silje Karine Muotka (Norwegian Sami National Federation) says to news. She believes it is important that the majority now apologize. Sámi Parliament President Silje Karine Muotka (NSR). Photo: Ellinor Halvari / news – We have many wounds and the Norwegianization policy created problems for many. Muotka was also pleased that the parliamentary representatives came well prepared for today’s debate. – In particular, I see the proposals of the minority parties as important to follow up. But it is a process. This is the start and it requires that we initiate measures both in the short term and in the long term. OUTSIDE THE STORTING: A lavvo has been set up outside the Storting. It must function as an equal arena for dialogue. There will be conversations around the fire, exhibitions and tastings of Kven/Norwegian-Finnish, Forest Finnish and Sami traditional dishes. Photo: Ellinor Halvari Published 12.11.2024, at 10.01 Updated 12.11.2024, at 21.20
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The Storting considers the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report – news Sápmi
