Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
was founded in 1956 to foster cooperation between political organisations in Norway,
Sweden, Finland and Russia. In Tromsø in 1980, the Saami Council's political program ad-
opted the following principles:
We, the Sami, are one people, whose fellowship must not be divided by national bound-
aries. We have our own history, tradition, culture and language. We have inherited from
our forebears a right to territories, water and our own economic activities. We have an in-
alienable right to preserve and develop our own economic activities and our communities,
in accordance with our own circumstances and we will together safeguard our territories,
natural resources and national heritage for future generations.
The Sami participate in the Arctic Council and the World Council of Indigenous
Peoples, which encourages solidarity and promotes information exchange between indi-
genous peoples.
Nordic Sami Institute in 1974 and promotes Sami language, culture and education, as well
as research, economic activities and environmental protection.
To be officially considered Sami and (if 18 or over) be able to vote in elections for the
Sámi Parliament, a person must regard themselves as Sami, speak Sami as their first lan-
guage or at least one of their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents must have
spoken Sami as their first language.
