Loga Sámegillii. The Sami Parliament, between 2017–2019, gave loan guarantees to Várdobáiki AS for its loans in connection with the purchase and rebuilding of buildings. The Sami Parliament owns 48.27 per cent of the shares in Várdobáiki AS. “I seriously look at the matter,” says Sami President Silje Karine Muotka (NSR) at a press conference on Monday. Silje Karine Muotka says they have sent over all documents to the Sami Parliament’s control committee, the OAG and the Ministry. They also initiate an external investigation of the case. Photo: Lena Marja Myrskog Åsen / news The Sami Parliament itself states that there have been procedural errors in the treatment, investigation, documentation and justification of providing a loan guarantee to the company. – There are, among other things, violations of provisions on financial management in the state, the Sami Parliament’s financial regulations and internal routines, they write. Thus, the decision to provide a loan guarantee to Várdobáiki AS is invalid. This is Várdobáiki Várdobáiki today consists of a Sami language center, kindergarten, museum with gallery, Department of Sami Health and Store. The center has premises in Evenskjer in Troms. The language center, which today is one of the core activities of Várdobáiki Sami Center, was established in 1999. The Várdobáiki cultural center came into place in 2002. The center will manage and continue the Sami language, history, culture and social life in the business area of Sør-Troms and Nordre Nordland. Source: Várdobáiki wanted a new building The case is about the Cultural Center Várdobáiki wanting its own premises. They had wanted this ever since its inception in 2002. Several people showed up for the opening of the new premises of Várdobáiki in 2020. Photo: Mathis Eira In 2020, the new building was clearly in Evenskjer and the price tag was over NOK 20 million. “It has been a long process,” said the then chairman Else Grete Broderstad. The notification by the Ministry of the Sami Parliament must have been notified of the illegal loan guarantees of the Ministry of Local Government and District. The loan guarantees must have been dealt with by the then Sami Council. The Sami Council has now decided to initiate an external investigation and has sent over the case to the OAG. “The Sami Parliament will help to ensure that all matters of the case are as well -informed as possible,” says Sami President Silje Karine Muotka. The Sami President does not want the Sami Parliament’s fault to hit Várdobáiki. Photo: William Jobb / news A working group at the Sami Parliament will in the future look at how they can cancel the loan guarantee and how Várdobáiki can repay the loan. This may, for example, happen by reducing the direct subsidy the Sami Parliament gives to the center. – We are working on the clear objective to correct invalid decisions and ensure that Várdobáiki is not affected by the Sami Parliament’s fault, says Muotka. Published 28.04.2025, at. 12.59 Updated 28.04.2025, at. 13.54
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