The reformed Sámi Parliament Act celebrated at the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos - celebration underway

The event opened with addresses by the Sámi Parliaments of Finland, Norway and Sweden, as well as greetings from the President of the Republic, the Minister of Education and Member of the European Parliament Anna-Maja Henriksson. In addition, there have been traditional music performances by Sámi musicians. 

In her speech, President of the Sámi Parliament in Finland Pirita Näkkäläjärvi thanked the Sámi people and friends of the Sámi for their perseverance and tenacity.​

-The reform of the Sámi Parliament Act has been a tremendous common effort by the Sámi community, which in the end took 30 years. The Sámi Parliament Act has been reformed, the long ordeal is over and, as a result, the burden has been lifted from the shoulders of future generations, President Näkkäläjärvi said.​

President Näkkäläjärvi considers international human rights treaties to have been decisive in the reform of the Sámi Parliament Act.

– We would not have reached this point without international human rights treaties concerning the electoral roll of the Sámi Parliament. The Finnish State finally had to do something.  International law and the rules‑based international order are in the interests of small peoples and small states, President Näkkäläjärvi said. 

In his written greeting to the celebration, President of the Republic Alexander Stubb stated that safeguarding the Sámi people’s special constitutional status as an Indigenous People is a shared responsibility for all of us.

– The long-awaited new Sámi Parliament Act has entered into force. Its aim is to ensure that the Sámi people’s right to self-determination and cultural autonomy can be secured more effectively, President Stubb wrote. 

-The work of the Sámi Parliament is an essential part of safeguarding Sámi self-government and the realisation of Sámi rights. Ensuring the continuity of dialogue between the Sámi Parliament and the authorities, as well as listening to Sámi perspectives in decision making, must be guaranteed at all levels of society, President Stubb continued. 

The Finnish Government’s greeting to the celebration was delivered by Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz. In his speech, Minister Adlercreutz stated that, when it comes to negotiation procedures, what is crucial is not only what is written in the articles, but how we act. This applies particularly to the obligation to negotiate and the cooperation between the authorities and the Sámi Parliament.

– The Act lays down in detail the procedure intended to safeguard the Sámi people’s right to participate in and influence matters that concern them. However, genuine negotiation requires more. True negotiation calls for listening, sincerity and a willingness to seek shared solutions, even when this takes time, Minister of Education Adlercreutz said.

Member of the European Parliament Anna-Maja Henriksson also conveyed her own greeting to the celebration. She previously served as Minister of Justice and was involved in the reform of the Sámi Parliament Act over several parliamentary terms.

– All along, the issue has been about respecting the Sámi people’s right to self-determination and enacting legislation that is not in conflict with Finland’s binding international obligations, said MEP Henriksson.

– I am also very pleased to continue working with you as a Member of the European Parliament. As Europe’s only Indigenous People, your rights must be strengthened at the European level too. Your presence must also be promoted in the European Parliament and in Brussels, Henriksson continued.

The event has also featured addresses by representatives of the Sámi Parliaments of Norway and Sweden. The speeches have highlighted the importance of Sámi cooperation in advancing Sámi rights across borders and the shared challenges we face.

In the afternoon, the programme will continue with a panel discussion moderated by Suvi West. The panel will look back on the reform process of the Sámi Parliament Act and turn the focus to its implementation.

The event will conclude at 15.30 with a joint coffee reception at Sajos, and the celebration day will culminate in the evening in a concert by Ulla Pirttijärvi & Ulda in the Dolla auditorium at Sajos.

The evening concert is open to all and does not require advance registration. As seating is limited and allocated in order of arrival, it is advisable to arrive early. 

Recordings of the event will be available to view for two weeks following the event. Links to the recordings will be published later on the Sámi Parliament’s website and social media channels.

Further information

Pirita Näkkäläjärvi
President of the Sámi Parliament
044 7533 766