As a little girl on the island of Vega in Nordland, it was best not to be Sami. Camilla had found that out. She often heard people who spoke negatively about the Sami. That’s why she didn’t tell anyone that she was gay. The family had lost much of their language and culture during the Norwegianisation. – People said that “the damn patches are both dirty and full of scabies”, recalls Camilla Tranås Kristiansen. CHILDHOOD: Camilla as a child at Vega. Photo: Private Camilla didn’t care, she was tough. But inside she collected all the ugly words about her people. Until one day she couldn’t hold on any longer. She was a teenager and had just moved to Bodø. – I told them to shut up and that I was a Sami myself. Camilla admits that it was good to finally speak up. SELF-SEW KOFTE: Camilla learned to sew a cardigan. Photo: Privat After that she started wearing a cardigan and has taken back the Sami culture. But there is one thing she has not ticked off the list. The Sami language. That is why it is extra important for her to give the language to her children. All Sami children in Norway have the right to Sami education at school, regardless of where they are, according to the Education Act. Nevertheless, Sami education at school has not worked as it should, according to Camilla. Had to move to get his right Camilla’s children go to Vega primary and secondary school. Vega primary and secondary school Photo: Private photo – The children waited for three years before Sami education was in place, says Camilla. She felt that the teachers opposed her. – I was met with a negative attitude by the headmaster at the time, who believed that Sami education would be a burden on my children, says Camilla. Vega school answers this: After approx. three years later Sami education came into place. It was distance learning with gatherings in Hattfjelldal. The gatherings are a total of 6 weeks a year and are 3.5 hours away from Vega. CAMILLA’S CHILDREN: Benjamin André, Angel Matheo and Loke Aleksander Photo: Private Camilla believes the assemblies are an important part of the teaching. – At gatherings, the children learn both language and culture. And they get the opportunity to be part of Sami society, even if you don’t live in the middle of it, says Camilla. But there was a problem with the collections. Camilla’s children are entitled to an assistant for health reasons, and the school would not prioritize sending an assistant, according to Camilla. At the start, Camilla took part herself, but was eventually told by those who ran the gatherings that an assistant must be present for them to participate. The children have therefore not been to gatherings recently. Camilla therefore sees herself having to move to get more connected to the Sami. What rights do children have? All Sami children have the right to individual training in Sami in primary school, says Brita Oskal Eira, who is head of primary school education at the Sami Parliament. Brita Oskal Eira – head of primary school education at the Sámi Parliament. Photo: Private Sami education and rights All Sami children have the right to individual training in Sami in primary school. This can be done with a teacher present, or with weekly distance learning and meetings. If the child wants to be taught in Sami in all subjects outside the Sami language administration municipalities, there must be at least ten pupils at the school who want this, in order for them to receive the training in Sami. But if you live in a Sami language administration municipality, you have the right to receive training in Sami in all subjects, even if it is only one pupil. Source: Brita Oskal Eira, Head of the basic education section at the Sami Parliament. You do this if the school is sloppy with Sami education. Complain to the principal at the school. – We often find that the schools do not know about the right to language training for the Sami pupils, says Eira. Send a complaint to the state administrator. – If the school head and owner do not facilitate training in Sami in basic education, a complaint should be made to the State Administrator, who has the overall responsibility, says Eira. – It is often small things that mean that the court is not held. It could be school transport, or something like this, that you don’t get an assistant. Children have this right, it is indisputable, states Eira. – I am going to be extremely strict. Camilla chose Inderøy in Trøndelag as her new home municipality, because it is closer to the Southern Sami area. It is also close to both Steinkjer and Levanger, where she will take a master’s degree at the university. Sakshaug school has no Sami education from before. – I will be extremely strict, because now I have learned. I’m so excited that my stomach hurts, says Camilla. POLITICALLY ACTIVE: Camilla is deputy leader of NSR Tråante. Here she is demonstrating at the waterfall campaign. Photo: Håkon Isak Sarak The principal at Sakshaug school can tell us that they are already well underway with the planning. – I have been in contact with Snåsa municipality, and we will collaborate with the Sami school in Snåsa. We will put in place a good offer for the children, confirms principal Torhild Buran. – Oh, so good! Now things are going well with a new school. I’m so glad I don’t have to be strict, says a relieved Camilla when she hears the answer to the principal at the new school. Only one thing is missing Now that everything is in place for the children, there is one thing that remains for Camilla. ILLEGAL KOFTE: Camilla says that the use of kofte was prohibited in, among other places, Vesterålen, where her mother is from. Therefore, the family has stopped wearing cardigans. Now the cardigan is in place in the family again. Here is Camilla with the Ofoten/Sør-Troms gákti. Photo: Private – I dropped out of a Sami course I took earlier, but I just have to try again. I have to take an active responsibility at home, states Camilla.
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Camilla moves to give the children a good Sami education – news Sápmi
