ILO Convention No. 169 and the governance of indigenous identity in Finland: recent developments

Abstract

The Sami are often described as the only indigenous people of the European Union. They inhabit an area now known as, and claimed by, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola peninsula of Russia. Recent research recognises that the Sami in Sweden-Finland had a right to their lands and waters, comparable to ownership. Previously, others referred to the Sami as Lapps. In 1673 and 1695, King Carl XI approved the Settlement Bill of Lapland, which allowed non-Lapps to cross the border of Lapland to settle. This may be considered to be the beginning of colonisation, assimilation and integration. As is the case with other indigenous peoples around the globe, the Sami have been struggling for the recognition of their rights since colonisation. Discussion on indigenous Sami rights to land and waters have been going on for a long time in Finland, which is the focus of this article. Different stakeholders as well as international, national and local politics are involved when issues concerning indigenous Sami rights to use Northern lands for their traditional activities are discussed. In this context, the possible ratification of the ILO Convention 169 has been an important issue. Many of the challenges related to the ILO Convention No. 169 reflect the issues related to the subjects of the Convention or the right holders of the land rights. Currently, the question of 'who is a Sami' seems to be the most controversial issue.

Finland: Political Developments and Data in 2019

“…The Sami issue in a country lacking International Labor Organisation's (ILO) Convention No. 169 recognition was becoming palpable also through this case, and through a planned rail link to the North Sea across the traditional Sami lands in the north (Joona 2020). This contestation contributed to the emerging support even if not yet the electoral success of the VIHR in Lapland in the 2019 national elections.…”

Fear of Livelihood Disruption: Sapmi Indigenous People Respons to Arctic Infrastructure in Finland

“…The Sápmi people in Finland face a significant challenge to reaffirm their position in obtaining the right to self-determination. The ratification of the ILO convention 169 on Indigenous People was submitted to the Finland parliament in 2015, but there has been no further progress on an agreement Joona [11] because it collides with the article on land rights [12]. However, several policies attempt to put the Sami in the context of participation in decision-making, such as the Mining Act, the new Metsähallitus Act [12], and the involvement of the Sami in funding the conservation of old forest in Lapland [13].…”

Climate change, cultural continuity and ecological grief: Insights from the Sámi Homeland

“…The Constitution of Finland (731/ 1999 ) secures the Sámi people’s right to maintain and develop their own language and culture, including reindeer herding and other traditional livelihoods such as fishing, hunting, gathering and handicrafts. Discussion on Indigenous Sámi rights to land and waters has been going on for a long time in Finland (Joona 2020 ). Most of the land in the Sámi Homeland continues to be state-owned, and the traditional livelihoods need to compete with other land uses, including forestry, tourism, mining and wind power, making their adaptation to climate change even more challenging (e.g., Landauer et al 2021 ).…”