Lately, there have been several media cases that deal with the coziness and discomfort experienced by cardigans. Because of this, the parents of fourth graders at Karasjok school wanted to protect their children who are on a school trip to Oslo this week. – We have heard a lot lately about bad experiences that cardigan-clad people have been exposed to. We dropped the cardigan so as not to attract attention to who we are, says parent Maret Inger Eira Grønnli. Maret Inger wears a regular T-shirt instead of a cardigan. Photo: Wenche Marie Hætta / NRK Have not told the children The fourth graders from Karasjok are one of six school classes in Norway who were invited by the National Museum to attend an unofficial opening of the new building, which officially opens on 11 June. A cardigan is something many Sami decorate when it comes to festivities, weddings, christenings or other events such as an invitation to the National Museum. Eira Grønnli says that the children wanted to decorate themselves with a cardigan. The parents therefore had to come up with excuses as to why this was not possible this time. – We have said that for practical reasons we do not bring the cardigans. We spare them the truth. We do not want them to think about such sad things on a school trip that should be fun and give joy. Put on your cardigan At the same time as the school children are traveling in Oslo, Sami politicians in Karasjok are working on an action plan to fight Sami. Ann-Elise Finbog represents Sámeálbmot Bellodat, she lives in Oslo and often wears a cardigan in the capital. – I understand the parents, but when you choose to put away your culture and language, then you give power to society at large. Then you give acceptance that the togetherness can continue. Ann-Elise Finbog asks the Sami to stand up against the Sami. Photo: Nils John Porsanger / NRK Children will not have to fight Eira Grønnli is not impressed by what she hears from the Sami parliamentary representative. – Strange that Finbog does not think about what togetherness can do with a 10-year-old, with your self-image if you get provoked because of your identity. Eira Grønnli admits that it was a difficult case for the parents. – We discussed back and forth, some parents thought we should dress with a cardigan. But in the end, we decided that we could not send 10-year-olds to Oslo to let them take up the fight against Saminess. Ignorance creates racism The Labor Party’s Sami politician, Ann Britt Eira Sara, is now asking the authorities for help. – Racism and Samiism come from the fact that people do not know enough about Sami. Now schoolchildren and kindergarten children in Norway must learn more about Sami. The Sami must be part of the curriculum. Ann Britt Eira Sara, represents the Labor Party in the Sami Parliament. Photo: Nils John Porsanger / NRK This is how the State Secretary for Local Government and District Affairs, Nancy Charlotte Porsanger Anti (Sp) responds Photo: Dan Robert Larsen / NRK The government is working on an action plan against racism and discrimination. In connection with this work, we have input meetings around the country, where Sami organizations are also invited. An input meeting will be held in Tromsø on 1 June. We will also consult the Sami Parliament in the work on the action plan. The government has no plans to prepare a separate action plan against unity. In this year’s reindeer husbandry agreement, funds have – for the first time – been set aside for a project against incitement and racism against reindeer herders. The government also has its own subsidy scheme against racism, discrimination and hate speech. This is managed by Bufdir. and is this year of 19 million kroner. Feel we go back Maret Inger Eira Grønnli herself has received unpleasant comments when she has worn a cardigan. She feels that fellowship never ends. – My feeling is that we are going back in development, that in 2022 we must hide our Sami identity to avoid Sami is almost unbelievable. Geahča ášši TV-ođđasiin / See the case on TV-Ođđasat.
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School children dropped cardigans to avoid togetherness – NRK Sápmi
