Sámi National Day!
6. February 2026 19:41
Sámi National Day
The Sámi national day started in the year 1917, after the first Sámi congress was held in Norway. This is when Nordic Sámi people started to work together to solve the problems they face, despite the borders. This is a day for all Sámi, regardless of their nationality or location.
The Sámi are indigenous people who generally inhabit the region called Sápmi, which spreads from Norway, Sweden and Finland all the way to Russia.
The Sámi are indigenous people who generally inhabit the region called Sápmi, which spreads from Norway, Sweden and Finland all the way to Russia.
There are around 10 or more Sámi languages, and the amount depends on the definitions and division. Some languages and dialects overlap within certain areas, and languages can differ from each other so significantly that a Sámi person from one area might not understand another Sámi from a different area.
Traditionally, Sámi people get their livelihood from reindeer herding, but in certain coastal areas, this tradition might be replaced with fishing.
History
Elsa Laula Renberg was a Sámi activist and a politician. She was one of the reasons why we celebrate the Sámi national day today. Together with Torkel Tomasson and Johan Enok Nilsson, she formed the first Sámi political organization and served as its leader. Renberg was also a chairwoman at the first international Sámi Assembly in 1917.
Elsa Laula Renberg was a Sámi activist and a politician. She was one of the reasons why we celebrate the Sámi national day today. Together with Torkel Tomasson and Johan Enok Nilsson, she formed the first Sámi political organization and served as its leader. Renberg was also a chairwoman at the first international Sámi Assembly in 1917.
She died in 1931 at the age of 53 due to tuberculosis. This, however, wasn’t the end of her legacy. Renberg is still known as one of the most influential Sámi activists and politician and in her honor, Sámi national flag day was set on her birthday on 29.11.
Renberg actively fought against discrimination through both politics and activism. When the Sámi couldn’t access education like other Swedish citizens could, she travelled to have an audience with Princess Sofia in 1903. Renberg was granted support and the permission to study to become a midwife, and she graduated in 1905 but didn’t continue on this field of work outside of a few occasions.
The Assembly of 1917 that Renberg worked to form also led to the formation of the Sámi council and Sámi parliaments in three Nordic countries: Sweden, Norway and Finland. These councils still continue to advocate for Sámi rights.
Human Rights Issues in the Past and Present
As many indigenous people were, the Sámi were also subjected to colonialism, assimilation and eugenics.
As many indigenous people were, the Sámi were also subjected to colonialism, assimilation and eugenics.
Sámi people were forcibly sterilized, especially in Sweden and Norway. This was disguised as civilizing the indigenous population and racial purity. They were subjected to invasive and humiliating physical examinations, including facial measuring. Children were put to boarding schools and were prohibited from speaking in their native language or showing their Sámi identity.
While this is upsetting to read, it is also important to acknowledge these horrors of the past so we won’t repeat them. Especially when some of these issues didn’t happen long ago. The sterilization of Sámi people in Sweden officially ended in 1975, which was just 51 years ago.
As our world has changed, so have the issues Sámi people face. One of the biggest indigenous rights issues nowadays is environmental injustice or environmental racism. This means that poor or marginalized comminities are knowingly exposed to harm more than the rest of the population. Sámi people who get their livelihood from herding or fishing suffer not only from climate change but also from energy production. Windmill parks and mining are often located in reindeer herding lands against the consent and wishes of the Sámi living there. This is an indigenous rights violation and is sometimes also called ”green colonialism” as these energy production methods are marketed as more ecological.
When these disputes happen, Sámi get targeted with harassment, abuse and racism for defending their traditions and livelihood.
TLDR:
- Sámi National Day has been celebrated since 1917 after the first Sámi congress, honoring unity among Sámi people across Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
- The Sámi are indigenous people of Sápmi with diverse languages and traditions, historically relying on reindeer herding and coastal fishing.
- Activist Elsa Laula Renberg helped organize the first Sámi political movement and assembly, leading to lasting institutions that advocate for Sámi rights.
- The Sámi faced assimilation, forced sterilization, and cultural suppression in the past, while today they struggle with environmental injustice, land use conflicts and discrimination.
By sharing this post, we hope to raise awareness and shine a spotlight on the Sámi people. We hope to encourage greater understanding of their culture, resilience and ongoing fight for their rights. While this day is not about celebration for everyone, it is an essential moment for reflection, awareness and learning.
With love,
The Inclusivity Group
