– Coexistence between reindeer husbandry and power development is possible, but then everyone must be adaptable. It’s about dialogue, says the reindeer owner from Kautokeino. The debate about whether power development and reindeer husbandry can live side by side is a hot potato, which has been brought up to date with the Fosen demonstrations. There is now a nervous and expectant mood in Finnmark, where many fear that the Fosen case will put a damper on power development. This in a county where almost every square meter is grazing land for reindeer. Nils Henrik Sara believes that there may be many court cases in the coming years. Photo: Hanne Larsen / news – Need more power Reindeer Sara stands behind those who think more power is needed in Finnmark. – I have seen that there can be shortcomings with the current development and what we have in store in the future. So then we have to find out which type of development is most suitable. Is it nuclear power, wind power or hydropower. – So you think that the reindeer herding Sami must also contribute to more power development in order to create the development many are talking about in the north? – Yes of course. It is important that we find a way out of the situation, so that everyone’s existence is safeguarded. We have to bow to that. But of course no one should be run over, as was seen in the Fosen case, he points out. Sara has summer pasture on the island of Seiland in the Altafjord. Here he believes that there are areas he can do without, without doing too much damage. – But then I have to point out where the turbines should be, considering what is most appropriate for me. Then it is not certain that the developer will completely agree, because it will be more expensive for his wallet, says the reindeer owner. Sara was a leader in the Norwegian Reindeer Samers National Association (NRL) from 2006 to 2014, and knows the art of negotiation. – This must be the key. Dialogue and common understanding. Visit i lavvo Dialogue is a word Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has used frequently in recent weeks. Not least on his trip to Finnmark, which is ongoing this week. Yesterday he was in Porsanger and listened to the sighs of the Sami residents and their description of the situation. Here he heard from many people who believe that reindeer herding takes up too large areas, and that too much of the rangeland is protected. Today the day started in Karasjok, where Støre visited a reindeer herding family, before he changed into a suit and entered the Sami Parliament a few hours later. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in conversation with the former Marit Alette Utsi, John Samuel Utsi and Anne Louise Næss Gaup during a visit to reindeer herders in Karasjok. Jonas Gahr Støre secured a selfie with the reindeer herd in Karasjok. Jonas Gahr Støre had a trip on a scooter with Sámi Parliament President Silje Karine Muotka before his visit to the Sámi Parliament today. Slogans in both Sami and Norwegian met the Prime Minister inside the Sami Parliament. Photo: Jan Langhaug / NTB Here he met with major protests from the Sami in attendance. In addition, he was handed 35,000 signatures collected by Amnesty. They demand that the violation of human rights against the Fosen Sámi cease. In an interview with Støre yesterday, he told news that dialogue is a matter of course, but that power development is not something reindeer herders can get away with. – Those who deal with reindeer must be heard, and they must be heard properly. It is important to listen to them and hear how the reindeer behave on winter and summer pastures, says Støre. – Do you want Norway to continue to have the natural reindeer husbandry we have today? – It is part of our history and culture. The Sami are an indigenous people who are protected through conventions we have entered into, and we must really stand up for that. – So I believe that those who engage in reindeer herding should also be interested in more power, so that we can develop varied workplaces. Equinor and offshore wind It came as a shock to many when it became known last year that Equinor had reserved power for the electrification of the gas plant on Melkøya. This at the expense of other establishments. Jonas Gahr Støre was met by protests of various kinds when he arrived in Karasjok. Photo: Jan Langhaug / NTB When asked by Støre whether Equinor should not be pressured to solve the electrification itself, the Prime Minister says: – We will decide on that question when the application formally arrives. But this question is not resolved, even if we say yes or no to electrification. – But doesn’t Equinor have the money and brains to solve this themselves? – Yes, but Equinor is our leading energy company, which will also look at offshore wind. Now the first offshore wind permits will come along the coast. But it must happen in a way that does not create these conflicts, says Støre. Lack of trust Kate Utsi is manager of reindeer herding district 9, Rákkonjárga, in Eastern Finnmark. Her district agreed to wind turbines over ten years ago. Now she regrets it bitterly. Kate Utsi is manager of reindeer herding district 9, Rákkonjárga, in Eastern Finnmark. Photo: Samuel Frode Grønmo / news Utsi says that she and many reindeer herders with her have lost trust in the State after the Fosen case. – There is a complete lack of trust. Also for what will happen in the future. And it is incredibly frightening, she says. Nils Henrik Sara believes that many reindeer herding Sami may be incited by what happened in the Fosen demonstrations. He believes that legal cases may come to an end in Finnmark in the coming years. – I fear it. But at the same time, the authorities are probably more vigilant after the Fosen case. So next time everything must be clarified. But I am absolutely sure that you can agree on something. But then you have to listen to each other, says Sara.
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Reindeer driving Sami in Finnmark say yes to wind power in their grazing areas – news Troms and Finnmark
