Finland Appoints Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Finland’s prime minister Sanna Marin recently announced that her government had given the go-ahead for a truth and reconciliation commission to begin its work of uncovering injustice and discrimination experienced by the country’s 10,000-strong Sámi population at the hands of the state, according to Arctic Today.

The Finnish constitution recognizes Sámi rights, and the state has some measures in place to involve the Sámi in decision-making processes for activities such as mining and logging that could affect their reindeer-herding activities. Still, some Sámi say it feels that important decisions affecting them are made without their full input.

The formation of the new commission has involved the participation of Sámi groups, including the Sámediggi, the Finnish Sámi assembly, and has had to overcome distrust among Sámi about whether Finnish officials were working in good faith.

Preparations for the Finnish commission began in 2017. It draws its inspiration from the experience of Canada’s truth and reconciliation commission. Norway convened a similar commission in 2018, and Sweden has been discussing the details of one since 2015.