President Näkkäläjärvi at the Historians Without Borders event: “The truth and reconciliation process opens up an opportunity to remedy the injustices that continue to this day through concrete action”
Sámi Parliament President Pirita Näkkäläjärvi took part in the ‘The Sámi in Finland – Understanding, responsibility and future’ event that was held by the Historians Without Borders in Finland and the Finnish Arctic Society on the 27th of August 2026. In her opening remarks, President Näkkäläjärvi emphasised that the final report of the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission opens an important opportunity to strengthen trust in society, the rule of law, and the future of the Sámi people – through concrete action.
Photo: Vesa Toppari / Yle
Näkkäläjärvi sees that the final report of the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission is, above all, an opportunity for the Finnish government, Finnish society and the Sámi people to build a sustainable future. By improving the understanding of Sámi affairs, it becomes possible to genuinely seek solutions together and build reconciliation instead of confrontation.
-We are now at the precipice of a great opportunity. The Commission’s final report makes historical injustices visible and shows how they continue to this day. The information and recommendations in the final report provide concrete tools for addressing these injustices, President Näkkäläjärvi says.
According to Näkkäläjärvi, in addition to the government, the society at large, particularly the media, has an important role in raising awareness. Very little is known in Finland about the Sámi ways of life, Sámi history or the current situation of the Sámi.
The government has a great responsibility, but also new opportunities
In her speech, President Näkkäläjärvi highlights the responsibility of the Finnish government in improving the position of the Sámi. At the same time, she emphasises that the Truth and Reconciliation process opens new possibilities.
-Truth and Reconciliation work can strengthen trust across society, and Finland’s position as a state governed by the rule of law and human rights. The most important thing for the Sámi is that the measures taken ensure a future where all three Sámi languages are spoken in Finland and that Sámi culture and all traditional Sámi livelihoods remain vibrant for future generations. Questions concerning the rights of the Sámi to land and water must also finally be taken seriously and placed on the agenda, Näkkäläjärvi continues.
Näkkäläjärvi emphasises that by strengthening the voice of the Sámi in decision-making, it is possible to make solutions together that are better and more sustainable.
-This is particularly important in the current, changing global situation, where the Arctic region is under significant pressure in terms of security policy and climate change, Näkkäläjärvi says.
New beginnings require new structures
In her concluding remarks, President Näkkäläjärvi underlines that despite its name, the final report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is not an end, but a new beginning. It is a starting point for making real changes through the Commission’s recommendations, so that reconciliation can be achieved.
-Reconciliation requires action. It requires new beginnings, new structures and new, bold initiatives. It is important to build a shared, long-term trajectory for improving Sámi affairs in the future. We need an ambitious plan, a roadmap, that we can implement together, Näkkäläjärvi says.
-It is important to work together: this requires courage, responsibility and a lot of work, but it gives back to all of us many times over, Näkkäläjärvi emphasises.
The event was hosted by Historians Without Borders in Finland and the Finnish Arctic Society, in cooperation with the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Helsinki, the Sámi Parliament in Finland and the Paasikivi Society.
The Sámi Parliament is the official representative body of the Sámi in Finland. It expresses the official position of the Sámi people and negotiates with public authorities. The Sámi Parliament maintains and promotes all three living Sámi languages in Finland, all traditional Sámi livelihoods, as well as Sámi culture and the way of life.
There are three living Sámi languages in Finland: Skolt Sámi, Inari Sámi and Northern Sámi.
Traditional Sámi livelihoods include fishing, reindeer herding, hunting, gathering and Sámi handicrafts (ǩiõtt-tuâjj / tyeji / duodji), and their modern forms of practice.
More information:
Pirita Näkkäläjärvi
President of the Sámi Parliament in Finland
+358 44 7533 766
pirita.nakkalajarvi@samediggi.fi
