Sámi peoples

The Sámi (/ˈsɑːmi/ SAH-mee; also spelled Sami or Saami) are the traditionally Sámi-speaking Indigenous peoples inhabiting the region of Sápmi, which today encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and of the Kola Peninsula in Russia. The region of Sápmi was formerly known as Lapland, and the Sámi have historically been known in English as Lapps or Laplanders, but these terms are regarded as offensive by the Sámi, who prefer their own endonym, e.g.

Northern Sámi Sápmi. Their traditional languages are the Sámi languages, which are classified as a branch of the Uralic language family.

Traditionally, the Sámi have pursued a variety of livelihoods, including coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. Their best-known means of livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding. As of 2007 about 10% of the Sámi were connected to reindeer herding, which provides them with meat, fur, and transportation; around 2,800 Sámi people were actively involved in reindeer herding on a full-time basis in Norway. For traditional, environmental, cultural, and political reasons, reindeer herding is legally reserved for only Sámi in some regions of the Nordic countries.

See also

Origins of the Sámi

Environmental racism in Europe

Hamburg culture

List of Indigenous peoples

Reindeer in Russia

Sampo Lappelill

Sámi culture

Fourth World

Inari

Indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East

Knud Leem

Sámi cuisine

Sápmi Park – Located Karasjok, Norway, Sápmi Park and visitor center presents the Sámi culture and its history through exhibits and a special effect theater presentation, entitled “The Magic Theater” designed originally by award-winning experience designer Bob Rogers (designer) and the design team BRC Imagination Arts.

Ume Sámi language