– It is not necessarily surprising to hear that, but it is sad to hear that it is still a challenge that many people face, says Emilie-Madelen Biti-Jessen. She will be part of the Sami guides scheme in 24/25, and hopes more people will take responsibility for overcoming Sami identity. – It is a social problem that everyone has to be involved in and deal with, in order for it to get better, she says. The Institute of Public Health has gone through studies from the Nordic countries over the last ten years, in order to survey the research that exists on harassment and discrimination against the Sami in Norway, Sweden and Finland. The report was commissioned by Bufdir and shows that discrimination and harassment of the Sami is an extensive problem. Little has changed in the last ten years, according to department director at FHI, Rigmor Berg. – They experience a lot of negative physical and mental health consequences due to harassment and discrimination. In meeting with society at large, they experienced that there is a great lack of knowledge about their history, language and culture, she says. It is not unusual for people of Sami background to have such comments thrown at them on the streets of Tromsø. Photo: Per-Henning Mathisen / RomsaDál Biti-Jessen says that she has experienced harassment, for example when she has worn a cardigan in town. – In such situations, you are often a bit extra vulnerable, so you learn not to pay so much attention to it. Then the situation can quickly become worse than it needs to be. She herself has sometimes told the guards at the nightclub, instead of taking it up herself. In the group of friends, they like to talk about these experiences. – We use a lot of humour, we are used to that happening, says Biti-Jessen. – But that still does not mean that it is okay or less serious, but it helps to make it harmless. – Can go beyond trust in the health services According to the report, there is not much difference across national borders or age. Berg in FHI is concerned about what it can do to young people. – A number of young people state that they are subjected to bullying, to harassment, to comments based on, among other things, their appearance and the clothes they wear, she says. – It is clear that it leaves a mark on the self-esteem and mental health and sometimes also the physical health of the young Sami. Department director at FHI, Rigmor Berg, is concerned about what the harassment is doing to young people. Photo: Petter Larsson / news Berg also points out that young Sami find it burdensome not being able to speak their own language and not being taught in their own mother tongue. The same applies to Sami people of all ages, when dealing with the public. – If you meet someone who does not know the language, does not know the culture and history, then it is a difficult experience. It can, for example, go beyond the treatment offer, because misunderstandings often arise, says Berg. – And if there are things you cannot communicate and express well; then it can affect trust in the health services and, in the worst case, the treatment offered. More aggressive incitement on social media According to FHI, the extent of incitement and discrimination against the Sami – and the arenas in which it takes place – has been fairly similar over the past ten years. But now they see a new trend. – In the last couple of years, we see that the spotlight has been put on harassment and discrimination that occurs on social media and on the internet. says Berg in FHI. That form of incitement and discrimination differs slightly from what has been the case in the past. – There is stronger use of language, there is a slightly more aggressive type of incitement that takes place, says Berg. – And there is still much we do not know, but this is an arena where there has not previously been much incitement and discrimination against Sami. Berg is happy that the Government is in the process of creating an action plan against Sami identity. – It is of great importance that no groups in Norway are exposed to incitement and discrimination, so it is very good that the government has now initiated such work, she says. – And we are very happy to be able to assist in the work that is being done. Take action Sami parliamentary council from the Norwegian Sami National Association (NSR) Runar Myrnes Balto is not surprised by the report’s findings either. – This confirms what we already know. Sameness is a serious problem that must be taken seriously throughout society. It is something we have been saying for a number of years, he says. According to the report, many measures have been proposed linked to incitement and discrimination against the Sami, but few have been initiated. – I think it is too bad that measures do not get started. Therefore, I have extra high expectations for both the Storting’s treatment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which they will carry out this autumn, and for the government’s work with the national action plan against Sámi, says Balto. – I believe that in order to bring Sami unity to bay, we must work together on many levels, including in the education sector and that of increasing knowledge throughout society. Sami Parliament Councilor Runar Myrnes Balto hopes the government will come up with more measures to overcome Sami identity. Photo: Mette Ballovara There is a significantly higher incidence of discrimination, violence, threats and bullying of Sámi in all age groups, compared to the general population, the report states. Those with strong Sami affiliation reported the highest levels of discrimination, especially in areas where Sami are a minority. Attitudes from the past Biti-Jessen says that she comes from a family where Norwegianization has made itself felt. For her, it is easier to talk to her grandparents about what she is experiencing. She finds their experiences more similar to her own than her parents’. She believes that negative attitudes towards the Sami are usually inherited from older generations. – We live in a society where being Sami is fine, but people still have the attitudes that come from the past, she says. Next year, as a Sami guide, she will travel around schools to spread knowledge about Sami culture and create dialogue with other young people. – It will be nice to be a small part of this work to counteract the old attitudes from the past. I think we are starting to get on the right track. Published 23.08.2024, at 14.15 Updated 23.08.2024, at 3 p.m
ttn-69
Sameness still a problem – news Troms and Finnmark
