Happy Sámi National Day!
Today, 6 February, we are flying the flag in Espoo in honour of Sámi National Day. The day reminds us of the importance of the Sámi people and their languages and culture. All three Sámi languages spoken in Finland – Northern Sámi, Inari Sámi and Skolt Sámi – are endangered languages. Using your mother tongue and strengthening reading skills are essential for keeping languages alive. Sámi-language books for children, young people and adults are also available at Espoo’s libraries.
At the January meeting of the City of Espoo’s Equality Committee, Planning Officer Niila Rahko from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare spoke about Sámi issues as part of municipalities’ equality and non-discrimination work – what equality and non-discrimination mean from the Sámi perspective. Rahko also discussed Sámi culture and the activities of the psychosocial support unit Uvja in Finland.
The Equality Committee has also started a dialogue with the Sámi Parliament. The aim is to raise awareness of Sámi culture, look to the future in Espoo, and launch cooperation with the Sámi Parliament. The committee asked Janne Hirvasvuopio, a member of the Sámi Parliament, to describe the challenges Sámi people face. Espoo’s Equality Committee believes that the Sámi people’s right to maintain and develop their language and culture and the special characteristics related to Sámi people in services should be extended to cities outside the Sámi homeland. According to the Equality Committee, it needs to be investigated how culturally safe services can be appropriately arranged in the three Sámi languages in cities. Sámi people have the right to maintain their Sámi identity also outside their homeland.