Loga ášši sámegillii. This is revealed in a recent poll conducted by Norstat for news. If we compare these figures with the election results from the last Sámi parliamentary election in 2021, then the Nordkalottfolket (NKF) goes up almost 20 percentage points. They have more than doubled their support in three years. – This is wonderful news. Those are wonderful numbers to go on with, says Toril Bakken Kåven. The North Calott people have really had wind in their sails in recent years. They have increased their membership by 55 per cent, they entered the county council in Finnmark as the second largest party and are also today the largest opposition party in the Sami Parliament. According to the survey, the NKF may now also be the largest in the Sami Parliament. Party barometer at the Sámi Parliament What would you vote for if there were Sámi Parliament elections in day?Party SupportChange38.0%NKF+19,733.0%NSR+1,113.0%AP−2.06.0%FRP+1.23.0%SáB−2.62.0%SP−7.62.0% H−2,32,0%JSL−0,42,0%Andre−0,8Click on the party circle to see the full party name. Based on 1,000 interviews conducted in the period 29.10.24–6.11.24. Margins of error from 1.1–3.8 pp. Source: Norstat Although NKF is larger in this measurement, Norstat, which has carried out the measurement, cannot say with certainty that they are the largest. The margins of error between the NKF and the Norwegian Sami National Confederation (NSR) overlap, which means that they can in reality be about the same size. NKF biggest Toril Bakken Kåven has represented the party in the Sami Parliament since 2005. Then she was the only representative, while in 2013 there were three, and at the last election there were nine. Still, Bakken Kåven does not completely let go of the jubilation. Toril Bakken Kåven in the Nordkalottfolket is happy, but with reservations. Photo: Håkon Mudenia / news – One must remember that polling is polling. The NSR is still safely in power, they have a decent majority behind them and they are the ones in charge until the next election. Then we’ll look for it. Bakken Kåven believes the success of the party lies in the issues they fight for. – We have been very clear about what has been our core issues. For the Labor Party, the result of 13 percent in the opinion poll is disappointing, but not shocking. She highlights the principle of equality between people, a focus on business policy in Sea Sami areas and the fact that all Sami should be included in the Sami Parliament’s electoral roll. – We have been very clear that we want development in Sami society. We are dying out in the north, it is very serious, she says. The Nordkalott people’s solution to this is, among other things, an investment in industrial development and business development. – We must have jobs, and then we cannot say no to everything. This is how Norstat has worked with the poll 1,000 random people in the Sami Parliament’s electorate have responded to the survey. In 2023, there were around 23,500 people in the population. Those who have answered are 51 per cent women and 49 per cent men. Most of the respondents are from Northern Norway (66.5 per cent). Where the number of blacks was the fewest was in Western Norway (3.9 per cent). The survey was conducted between 29 October and 6 November. This is before news’s case about Sandra Borch. 37 per cent, i.e. 4 out of 10 respondents, answered that they did not know what they should have voted for or that they would not have voted if there were elections today. The Nordkalott people represent dissatisfaction – Such an increase is a clear signal that what the Nordkalott people are doing is working, says researcher Mikkel Berg-Nordlie about the new measurement. He has written several articles on Sámi parliamentary elections, and recently published a book on the history of Sámi politics. Berg-Nordlie believes that the party’s growth is linked to an increasing return of Norwegianized Sami into Sami society. – Some of them feel rejected, and that they are not taken seriously as Sami. This dissatisfaction represents the Nordkalott people, says Berg-Nordlie. Researcher Mikkel Berg-Nordlie believes that the Nordkalott people will strengthen as long as there are Sami who feel excluded in Sami society. Photo: Johan Ante Utsi / news One of the party’s campaign issues is precisely equality between people. They believe that there are so-called elite Sami, or A and B Sami, who are in power, and that they themselves are the opposite of this. Everyone must be treated equally. NKF also embraced Sandra Borch after news investigated whether she was qualified to be on the Sami Parliament’s electoral roll. They believe that news tries to be a judge of people’s Saminess, and thus also contributes to exclusion. – And the more people feel rejected and excluded, the more the Nordkalott people will come forward, believes Berg-Nordlie. The Sami Parliament Photo: Benjamin Fredriksen / news The Sami Parliament is a popularly elected body established to ensure political representation and participation of Norway’s Sami population. The Parliament was established in accordance with the Sami Act of 12 June 1987, and officially opened by King Olav on 9 October 1989. The Sami Parliament shall work to ensure that the Sami can secure and develop their language, their culture and their social life. They manage a number of areas of responsibility delegated by the state, and are consulted by the authorities in several cases. The Sami Parliament has its headquarters in Kárášjohka (Karasjok) in Finnmark, but also has offices elsewhere. 39 representatives from seven constituencies are elected to the Sami Parliament. Source: Great Norwegian encyclopedia NSR makes a little progress But also the Nordkalottfolk’s big competitor, NSR, makes a little progress in the measurement. But only with one percent. The sitting president of the Sámi Parliament, Silje Karine Muotka (NSR), fears what might happen if the North Kalott people come to power. – It shows how serious the situation is. I have to wake everyone up and say that there will be big changes in the Sámi Parliament if we don’t get a good election campaign, and we will do that. Sami Parliament President Silje Karine Muotka (NSR) takes the new figures seriously, and wants to renew the party’s policy. Photo: Håkon Mudenia / news Muotka believes that those within NSR must evaluate their policy based on these results. – We must show why our policy is important and renew it so that people know that it meets their everyday challenges, because that is what is important. Who would you vote for if there were elections today?/ Guđe bellodaga jienastivččet jus dál livčče sámediggeválggat? Nordkalottfolket Norske Samers Riksforbund/ Norgga Sápmelaččaid Riikasearvi Labor Party/ Bargiidbellodat Other parties/ Eará bellodagaid Don’t know/ In dieđe Show result Needs internal reconciliation The tone between the two largest parties in the Sami Parliament is sometimes very harsh. NSR and NKF call each other frivolous, accuse each other of bullying and generally cannot agree on issues (even when they might agree). – The fronts are becoming more and more irreconcilable between the parties, says researcher Berg-Nordlie. He fears that this polarization between political parties will increase, and reinforce a tendency towards mutual suspicion in the Sami population. – Norsification has split the Sami population in two, and it seems that an internal reconciliation process is needed within Sami society. The researcher hopes that the two largest parties will take responsibility for this. – They must find out how to reduce the level of conflict among the Sami. There must be a will to bridge this Norwegianization gap. Published 21.11.2024, at 12.50 Updated 21.11.2024, at 16.08
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The Nordkalott people are the biggest in the Sami Parliament: – Fantastic news – news Sápmi
