President Näkkäläjärvi Returns from Parental Leave

Sámi Parliament President Pirita Näkkäläjärvi has been on parental leave since January 2025. During her absence, second Vice President Tuomas Aslak Juuso has served as Acting President.

– I would like to thank second Vice President Tuomas Aslak Juuso and first Vice President Leo Aikio in particular for taking care of my responsibilities while I was away. I want to extend my thanks to the Sámi Parliament’s Executive Board for its important political work on all the topics during the current electoral term, Näkkäläjärvi says.

During her parental leave, President Näkkäläjärvi participated in a few key work-related matters, including the passing of the new Sámi Parliament Act by the Finnish Parliament, visiting President Stubb in Helsinki, the Sámi National Day celebration in Inari and meeting with Members of the European Parliament in Saariselkä. She is now returning to work on a full-time basis.

The Finnish Parliament approved the Sámi Parliament Act proposal in June 2025. Photo: Lehtikuva / Markku Ulander.

– I am happy to return after parental leave. The leave has brought new perspectives to life, as a person, as a Sámi politician and as a leader, Näkkäläjärvi says.

The Sámi Parliament has many important tasks underway

– I want to highlight a few issues that have strong potential to improve the living conditions of the Sámi in Finland. These include implementing the obligation to negotiate under the Sámi Parliament Act, carrying out the measures of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee and advancing EU matters, Näkkäläjärvi says.

The current electoral term runs until 2027. The Finnish parliamentary elections will be held during this term, in April 2027.

– The Sámi Parliament is preparing for the parliamentary elections and working on advancing Sámi priorities in connection with the elections, President Näkkäläjärvi says.

More information:

Pirita Näkkäläjärvi
President of the Sámi Parliament in Finland
+358 44 753 3766
pirita.nakkalajarvi@samediggi.fi