Emilie-Madelen Biti-Jessen Photo: Lena Marja Myrskog / NRK
Discrimination against Sámi remains a widespread problem that occurs in many social arenas. This is shown in a quick overview from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), which has mapped the research available on harassment and discrimination against the Sámi in Norway, Sweden and Finland in the period 2014–2024.
The researchers included a total of 32 studies in the quick overview, of which 19 were from Norway, eight from Sweden, four from Finland and one had data from both Norway and Sweden. The study design was divided into 16 qualitative studies, 13 quantitative studies and three multi-method studies.
Discrimination negatively affects the Sámi's physical and mental health. It also has a negative impact on their everyday life, says Rigmor Berg, Director General of the Institute of Public Health in a press release.
FHI now also sees a new trend where hate increasingly comes on social media and the internet.
It is a powerful use of language and a slightly more aggressive type of hatred that takes place there. And there's still a lot we don't know, but this is an area where there hasn't been so much hatred and discrimination against the Sámi before, says Berg.
SVT Sápmi reported earlier this year when Brå for the first time released a report on hate crimes against the Sámi where victims shared terrifying memories and experiences.
Recently, four youth councils on the Norwegian side handed over a checklist for measures against Sámi hatred and how it can reduce the problem to the politicians at the Arendal Week.
A proposal that was appreciated by Sáminuorra, the Sámi youth organization on the Swedish side.
Everyone has to get hold of it for it to get better, says Emilie-Madelen Biti-Jessen to NRK Sápmi.
On the Norwegian side, they have also started with "Sámi guides" where students travel around Norway and lecture mainly at secondary schools about the Sámi people in order to spread knowledge.
One of those who do is Emilie-Madelen Biti-Jessen.
It will be fun to be a small part of this work to counteract the old attitudes from the past. I think we are on the right track, she tells NRK Sápmi.
She is not surprised by FHI's new report and believes that society as a whole must take more responsibility, and there is still a lack of knowledge about the Sámi language and culture in society at large.
There is a great lack of knowledge about measures against hatred and discrimination, and there is a great need to know more about what works and what does not work to counter hatred and discrimination against the Sámi.
It's not surprising to hear that, but it's still sad to hear that it's a challenge that many people are facing. It is a social problem that everyone must be involved in and tackle, in order for it to get better, says Biti-Jessen.
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