Self-determining the Self: Aspects of Saami Identity Management in Sweden

Maintaining inherited occupations in changing times: the role of tourism among reindeer herders in northern Sweden

“…First, indigenous identity is a multifaceted issue mostly dependent on individual self-recognition (Viken, 2006) and hence we cannot know who is indigenous or not departing from a population register. Second, while most of the reindeer owners are Sámi a small number of non-Sámi reindeer owners do exist in what are known as concession areas found close to the Sweden-Finland border (Beach, 2007). As a result, the population under investigation in this paper is predominantly but not exclusively indigenous while the industry they are involved in is considered an indigenous industry.…”

“…Current research shows reindeer herding to be more than a profession providing an income but an occupation closely linked with Sámi identity itself (Beach, 2007;Nordin, 2007;Omma et al, 2011). This study looks at parental income from herding and how that compares with the child's involvement in the profession.…”

“…In addition, membership to an RHC (Reindeer Herder Cooperative) [Sameby in Swedish] is also required before an individual has the right to own reindeer. There are 51 RHCs in Sweden and membership to an RHC is based on inheritance where only individuals born in a family with existing membership or ones marrying into one may become members (Beach, 2007). Data from Statistics Sweden show that in 1960, there was a total reindeer herder population of 2034, out of which 791 were considered herder professionals and the rest were either helpers or family members such as housewives and children (Johansson & Lundgren, 1998).…”

“…Reindeer herding in Sweden is an exclusive occupation where it is extremely difficult for an individual not born into an existing herding family to enter the occupation. The 'closed-shop' nature of reindeer herding, detailed by Beach (2007), means that even though by law many individuals have the right to become herders, in practice few outside existing herding families actually do. Of the individuals with the sufficient skills and opportunities to be involved in herding, drawbacks exist in terms of leaving the occupation.…”

“…This is mainly due to the fact that reindeer herding in Sweden is closely associated with indigenous Sámi identity. Even though only about 10-15% of all Sámi in Sweden are involved in reindeer herding, the occupation is still closely associated with Sámi culture and identity (Beach, 2007;Omma, Holmgren, & Jacobsson, 2011). The acquaintances, contacts and social connections made during childhood, or more accurately inherited, are also important in terms of entering the occupation.…”