– There is always a fear – news Culture and entertainment

Law student and reindeer herder. Aili Kristine Eira (23) can in many ways identify with Elin, who she plays in the drama series “Vi lover et helvete”. Eira’s dream is to become a lawyer so that she can contribute to the rights of indigenous people. With Sami roots on both sides, it is extra important for her to fight for Sami culture. – My education will open up many opportunities, says the 23-year-old who lives in Tromsø and is heir to the family’s reindeer herding in Finnmark. Aili Kristine Eira had no acting experience before she got the lead role in “Vi lover et helleve”. Here on the red carpet at the premiere. Photo: Inga Kare Marja I. Utsi / news “We promise a hell” depicts the rights of indigenous people in conflict with industrial construction and jobs, and draws direct parallels to the demonstrations that the Sami people have made against the Ministry of Oil and Energy in recent days. This week, Eira is a guest at “Lindmo”, and there she talks about the problems she experiences as a Sami and a reindeer owner at home in Finnmark. – Many families have lost their language. Her mother is Sea Sami and her father is a reindeer herder, and even though she has Sami roots on both sides, the Sami culture has not been as strong. – Mum is from a Norwegianized family, and no one around her had any pride in their Sami identity. Back then they tried to hide it. But she learned Sami when she was 11-12 years old and has taken the language back, she says. For Eira, it is important to look after the cultural heritage. In addition to her studies and the family’s reindeer herding, she works as a language teacher at a primary school as a language mentor for adults. Aili Kristine Eira is happy when children and young people of Sami roots want to learn the Sami language. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad / news – It is really rewarding to teach primary school students a language they don’t speak at home. There are many families who have lost the Sami language. It is touching to hear that students want to learn it, she says. – Always a fear Reindeer herding is an important part of the Sami cultural heritage, and for it to continue, the grazing areas must be left in peace. The ongoing conflict between reindeer owners and the wind power project at Fosen has resulted in demonstrators turning their Sami cardigans in protest, and blocking the entrance to several ministries in the capital. The demonstrations bear witness to the highly topical theme of the drama series, and Eira sympathizes with the reindeer owners who have to fight for their reindeer herd. The family’s reindeer herd has winter grazing between Karasjok and Lakselv, and summer grazing on Kokelv. She says that they have been lucky and have avoided threats to their grazing areas. – For a while they planned wind power plants up there too. It would have destroyed our reindeer herding, but it was shelved, fortunately. Nevertheless, they do not relax, and are on guard. – There is always a fear. We often think: “When is the next intervention?” “When will it be picked up again?” – It is not just one intervention, but the sum of everything. Mining, windmills, roads, construction, cabin fields and traffic in nature, she explains. In the series, Aili Kristine Eira plays a reindeer herding Sami who fights hard against the re-opening of mining in the village. Photo: Max Emanuelson / Max Emanuelson But she emphasizes that they have had good cooperation with the people who live in the area where the reindeer graze. – I think it’s about good communication. We like to take people on spring migration and think it’s nice that people want to watch, she says. – A much-needed story Many people have been impressed by the drama series which sheds light on the dilemma between cultural heritage and modern social development. In Nordnorsk debate, commentator Maja Sojtaric writes that the series Aili Kristine Eira is in provides important insight. Aili Kristine Eira plays Elin who falls in love with her rival Daniel, who is played by Sigurd Kornelius Lakseide. Photo: Jørgen Nordby – news’s ​​new series “Vi lover et helvete” sheds light on some important social conditions in Northern Norway better than a hundred political comments can, she writes. The series’ love story between Elin and Daniel gives us a picture of how difficult it is to end up in a box, and feel the pressure from the legacy you carry – at the same time you want to go your own way. – This gives it enormous leeway to deal with the major conflicts of interest in a northern Norwegian district community, writes Sojtaric. Elin (Aili Kristine Eira) and Daniel (Sigurd Kornelius Lakseide) defy cultural differences and fall in love in “We love a hell”. Photo: Max Emanuelson / Max Emanuelson – People want to learn about us The feedback after the series came out has been exclusively positive for Eira. She says that they still have a way to go. The comment fields testify that many people have negative and stereotypical attitudes towards Sami culture. – A classic is that we who deal with reindeer are only looking for compensation, but that is not true. But she points out that they experience the most positivity and curiosity from people who want to know more about the Sami culture. – We are always open for others to participate in the spring migration, in the reindeer fence and on suitable occasions. We will be happy about that. Watch the interview with Aili Kristine Eira on “Lindmo” at 21.40 and on news TV.



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