Reclaiming Truth – A Sámi Perspective on Norway’s Apology and the Path to Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established by the Storting (the Norwegian parliament) in 2018, provided the foundation for this apology. The Commission was tasked with three objectives: conducting a historical examination of Norwegian policies toward the Sámi, Kven/Norwegian Finns, and Forest Finns; understanding the ongoing consequences of these policies; and proposing measures to facilitate reconciliation.

In its methodology, the Commission focused on including a broad variety of sources. Over 760 personal accounts were collected through interviews, public meetings, and written submissions, ensuring that the voices of those most affected were at the heart of its findings. These narratives were complemented by extensive archival research and analysis, which traced the historical and legal frameworks that underpinned assimilation policies.

These accounts are not just history—they are living testimony to resilience, pain, and hope. The Commission’s report, delivered in June 2023, provides an unflinching look at how these policies affected language, culture, and identity.

The policy of Norwegianization was rooted in a belief that Sámi language and culture, and therefore also Sámi people, were less worthy. Therefore, assimilation into the majority culture was the only path to progress and modernity. This ideology manifested in laws, education systems, and economic policies that systematically erased Sámi identity. It sought to silence our languages, sever our connection to ancestral lands, and diminish our cultural practices and world views.

The human cost of Norwegianization was vividly felt in the educational system, where Sámi children were subjected to an environment that viewed their cultural heritage as an obstacle to overcome. Boarding schools, like those in Røros, became instruments of erasure, forbidding children from speaking Sámi and punishing them if they did. The impact was profound: children who once carried the songs, stories, and wisdom of their ancestors returned home unable to communicate with their families, alienated from their own communities.

The boarding schools did more than suppress language; they fractured identities and perpetuated a cycle of loss that rippled across generations. The loss of language was not merely the loss of words, but of connection—between individuals, families, and the land itself. As the Sámi fought to preserve their cultural integrity in the face of systemic oppression, the scars left by these policies became embedded in their communities, creating a profound and enduring trauma. This pain underscores the importance of truth and reconciliation, not just as a means to document past injustices, but as a foundation for rebuilding what was taken.

Coastal Sámi communities also faced devastating disruption. The state’s fisheries management policies prioritized large-scale industrial fishing over traditional Sámi practices, forcing many Sámi fishers out of their livelihoods. This loss was not just economic but cultural, as traditional knowledge and sustainable practices integral to Sámi identity were left behind. These policies of exclusion from vital resources left a lasting mark on Coastal Sámi communities, reinforcing their marginalization.

Rawdna Carita Eira, a reindeer herder, shared her harrowing experience of the psychological toll of terrifying confrontations. She recounted an incident in the late 1990s when an enraged farmer approached her family’s herd and began firing shots over both the reindeer and their heads. Here are some of the words she shared with the Commission:

I am responsible for the people behind and around the herd. So, I do what someone with responsibility should do. I walk, completely calm, without panicking or anything, but I walk calmly and very determinedly toward the man holding the gun, who is so angry that he is completely beside himself. I remember the first thing I did was to ask him to put down the gun.

The man eventually calmed down. I told the police about the incident but didn’t file a formal report; I just talked to them. The reindeer migration had to continue.

The incident has burned itself into my memory. What boundaries can one allow to be crossed? Would someone have done this to a neighbor? Would you have done it to a flock of sheep and a sheep farmer? What is this? What makes it acceptable to cross these boundaries? Today, I am still somewhat surprised that the police didn’t take action on their own.

I remember one day standing at the edge of a cliff and thinking, should I jump? I saw that I couldn’t win; I won none of these battles or the responsibility of carrying a culture forward, of preserving a way of life. You are expected to carry out awareness work about Sámi culture in an area where it has been no more than one or two generations since Sámi identity was visible. You must do that part, stand and defend reindeer herding with the economy of a single family against large mining companies backed by parent corporations and legal support.

You face internal conflicts within reindeer herding. You have to choose between siblings or friends—who gets to continue? And on top of it all, there’s the daily work with the reindeer. I couldn’t do it anymore and decided to stop. I had to let it go for the sake of my children and myself, and I needed to do something else. At that moment, my world fell apart for a while.

(Sannhet og forsoning, p. 331-332)

Eira’s testimony vividly illustrates the human toll of Norway’s assimilationist policies and the continuing struggles faced by those striving to preserve Sámi identity, traditions, and livelihoods in a modern world. Tragically, her story is not unique. The pressures on reindeer herding today remain immense, perpetuating cycles of stress and adversity.

The Sámi Parliament undertook a comprehensive review of the TRC report. As an initial step, we invited the Sámi community to share their perspectives on the report, its findings, and the path forward. We received nearly 90 responses to our open hearing—an impressive number in a Sámi context. This highlighted the significant interest in the report and underscored the high expectations among the Sámi for meaningful follow-up by the national government.

In response, the Sámi Parliament deliberated on a total of 10 cases related to the report in 2024. In March, two broad cases addressed the overall content of the report, followed by seven issue-specific cases that were presented to the Parliament. In September, the focus shifted to the regional actions required to address and repair the damages caused by assimilation policies.

In its discussions, the Sámi Parliament acknowledged that the TRC provided compelling evidence and documentation of a systematic assimilation policy that has had profound and lasting consequences for the Sámi people, their language, and their culture—consequences that persist to this day. The Parliament emphasized that reconciliation is a vital goal, but achieving it requires addressing and repairing the extensive harm caused. Accordingly, the Parliament proposed several measures to support the reparation process effectively.

The apology offered by the Norwegian Government is meaningful, but its scope must be critically examined. The Storting, in its initial plenary discussion following the Commission’s report, did not adequately address the specific needs and rights of the Sámi people, particularly regarding livelihoods and resource rights. The systemic denial of Coastal Sámi fishing rights, which has resulted in the displacement and marginalization of many Coastal Sámi communities, was notably absent from the discussion.

The Commission highlighted these historical injustices in its findings, particularly the role of state policies in limiting Sámi access to marine resources. Coastal Sámi communities were disproportionately affected by fisheries management regulations, including quota systems that prioritized larger, non-Sámi vessels. This led to the loss of small-scale, traditional Sámi fishing practices, which were not only vital for economic sustenance but also for cultural and community identity. The silence on this issue in Parliament’s plenary session was a missed opportunity to acknowledge and address these harms.

For the Sámi Parliament, the apology and the Commission’s report represent an affirmation of work that has spanned decades. Its findings validate the experiences of countless Sámi individuals and communities. As a parliament, our responsibility now is to ensure that the report’s recommendations are implemented effectively. One of the first steps in this process is hosting “Verdde – A reconciliation gathering” in Tromsø in May 2025. This event will bring together people to engage in dialogue and foster understanding. Reconciliation must be more than a political statement; it must involve human connection and collective effort. This gathering will aim to create those connections while laying the groundwork for broader societal change.

The restoration of livelihoods is not merely an economic issue; it is central to the process of reconciliation. Livelihoods are deeply intertwined with cultural identity, social cohesion, and self-determination. For the Sámi people, the ability to engage in traditional practices such as reindeer herding, fishing, and crafting is essential for maintaining our connection to our heritage and passing it on to future generations.

The Sámi Parliament views the restoration of Coastal Sámi fishing rights as a cornerstone of broader efforts to address the historical and ongoing impacts of assimilation policies. By prioritizing this issue in our regional follow-up efforts, we aim to ensure that Coastal Sámi communities can reclaim their rightful place in the cultural and economic fabric of the Arctic region.

A key component of the Sámi Parliament’s response to the Commission’s report is the regional follow-up process. This approach recognizes that the impacts of Norwegianization policies vary across Norway and that effective solutions must be tailored to the specific needs of local Sámi communities.

However, reconciliation is not a one-time event. It requires sustained action, particularly in addressing the systemic issues identified in the report. Capacity building within Sápmi is essential.

The implementation gap—the disconnect between policies and their actual enforcement—remains a significant obstacle. Too often, commitments to Sámi rights have not been followed through in practice. Addressing this requires a coordinated effort by Norwegian authorities at all levels of government to ensure that existing legal frameworks protecting Indigenous rights are upheld. This is not just a matter of compliance; it is a matter of trust. Reconciliation cannot occur in an environment where promises are broken, and trust is eroded.

The Storting’s apology carries with it an obligation to implement policies that meet the specific needs of the Sámi people. While the apology is a significant gesture, its true impact depends on concrete actions to address the harm inflicted by decades of assimilation policies. These actions must include robust investments in Sámi education, culture, and language, alongside mechanisms that ensure Sámi voices are meaningfully included in decisions affecting their lives, lands, and waters. A critical part of this work involves recognizing and protecting Sámi land and water rights, which are integral to their cultural survival, livelihoods, and self-determination. All efforts must be firmly rooted in the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing self-determination, cultural preservation, and the safeguarding of traditional knowledge.

The Norwegian National Human Rights Institution (NIM) emphasizes that the follow-up to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report must be grounded in Norway’s human rights obligations, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They call for concrete and comprehensive measures that both acknowledge past injustices and strengthen the human rights protections for Sámi, Kven/Norwegian Finns, and Forest Finns. NIM highlights the importance of increasing awareness of Indigenous and minority rights among public officials and ensuring an inclusive process in the ongoing reconciliation efforts .

The Sámi Parliament priorities include resolving conflicts over land use and natural resources, which are foundational to Sámi autonomy and cultural vitality. The preservation of Sámi heritage, language, and identity is equally crucial. This includes supporting initiatives that promote linguistic and cultural revitalization, which are not only about reclaiming what was lost but about ensuring that future generations can thrive. We must also create spaces for social unity, such as the upcoming Verdde gathering, to foster understanding and collaboration across communities. These efforts are not just for the benefit of the Sámi people but for the benefit of Norway as a whole. A society that values and respects its diversity is stronger, more resilient, and more just.

Personal stories, like those of Rawdna Carita Eira, bring a human face to these issues. These narratives are a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of those who endured the harsh realities of assimilation policies. They also highlight the urgent need for systemic change. These stories must be heard, not just as a part of the historical record but as a call to action for all of us.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report provides a roadmap for this work, but it is only the beginning. Implementing its recommendations will require sustained political will, collaboration across all levels of government, and the active participation of both Sámi communities and the majority community.

No. 1/2025, 15th January 2025

This article is a part of the Arctic Circle Journal Series which provides insight, understanding and new information. The material represents the opinions of the author but not those of Arctic Circle.