President Pirita Näkkäläjärvi in Brussels: “Sámi participation in EU decision-making requires permanent structures and sufficient resources”

Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, the President of the Sámi Parliament, participated in an event called The EU’s policy in the Arctic, indigenous communities and ecological justice: bringing Sámi people’s voices into European decision-making held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday 1 July. The event, organized by the Left in the European Parliament, brought together representatives of the Finnish and Swedish Sámi Parliaments and the Sámi Council, Members of the European Parliament and other stakeholders interested in the EU’s Arctic policy, climate justice and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Speakers at the event included, for example, Vice-President of the European Parliament Roberts Zīle, Member of Parliament Jussi Saramo and former Vice-President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala.

The event discussed the participation of the Sámi in EU decision-making and how the EU’s Arctic policy and green transition can be implemented fairly, respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples. EU decisions in areas such as climate, biodiversity, land use, energy, infrastructure and regional development directly affect the culture, traditional livelihoods and everyday lives of the Sámi.

President Näkkäläjärvi emphasized that the participation of the Sámi in EU decision-making is still too often ad hoc and informal in nature and dependent on individual processes or political will.

– Sámi participation cannot only mean that Sámi are invited to speak at events. Participation must take place early enough, before decisions have been made, and in a way that can genuinely influence the content of policy, Näkkäläjärvi stated.

According to the Sámi Parliament, there is a need for a permanent, structured and rights-based partnership between the EU and the Sámi representative institutions. This requires, among other things, a permanent Sámi representation in Brussels and a formal cooperation structure between the Sámi Parliamentary Council and the European Parliament.

The event also underlined that participation rights must be linked to concrete resources. The Sámi Parliament finds that the EU should establish a separate Sámi Fund through which to channel funding directly to Sámi people and traditional livelihoods in an accessible and culturally appropriate manner. In addition to strengthening traditional Sámi livelihoods, the Sámi Fund could stimulate the vitality of the Sámi region by supporting Sámi businesses and innovations based on Sámi culture.

Ulla Pirttijärvi, accompanied by Viivi Saarenkylä, brought Sámi yoik to the heart of Europe. Photos: The Left in the European Parliament.

The fund should support, for example, climate change adaptation, pasture restoration, control of invasive species, traditional knowledge, Sámi-led research and the continuity of Sámi culture and traditional livelihoods. Providing support for the emergency feeding and the transport costs of reindeer herding in the aggravated winter conditions was highlighted as an urgent need.

– A meaningful partnership with the Sámi requires two things: permanent participation structures and separate funding, including a Sámi Fund that will provide practical support for Sámi people, Näkkäläjärvi stated.

The Sámi Parliament points out that the EU’s climate and biodiversity policy and green transition must support the rights, culture and livelihoods of the Sámi, not weaken them. Sámi participation and the concrete support of the Sámi are part of strengthening Europe’s cultural diversity, Arctic resilience and ecological justice.

For more information:

Pirita Näkkäläjärvi
President

+358 44 753 3766
pirita.nakkalajarvi@samediggi.fi