The cucumber was opened from the reindeer in Sweden – “they are afraid”

For the North Sami, this place is called Ubmeje.

In all official contexts and tourist campaigns, the city is highly valued by its own Sámi heritage.

But always sometimes it looks like its true face.

– It is one thing to use the Sami as a necklace that can be introduced to guests and the other is how you do in practice, the SSR’s lawyer Jenny Karlsson start.

– Whenever there is a conflict of interest, the Sámi must give way.

Karlsson does not recognize as a great rally friend. In his spare time, he coaches a handball team who was asked to help arrangements for the special stage a couple of years ago.

– Those cars just flew past it. It was terribly cold and I had to stand there for eight hours.

The Sámi are afraid

However, this year’s dispute is not about personal preferences.

It is about people’s livelihood and right.

– The municipality of Umeå and the rally organizers have not been able to prepare for this hate campaign. It has already escaped. The situation is really sad, Karlsson says.

– The Sámi no longer dare to introduce themselves because they are afraid of their safety.

Karlsson’s words startle. But they reflect the fact that last Sunday found reindeer in the area.

It wasn’t about the jury made by wolverine or lynx. Namely, the animals had been shot with a shotgun and the cucumber was opened.

– This happened earlier in Kiruna, where the reindeer were driven by snowmobiles. And I am afraid that people think it is completely allowed when they first read how “everyone hate the Sami”.

No final decision

In the background is Kina of Sunday’s three special stages. The Sámi village of Rans complained about the decision of the provincial government that the rally could proceed to the reindeer herding area.

– The possibility of complaining about judgments is one of the fundamental rights. This was forgotten by many when it was only about how the Sámi people want to prevent the rally from being realized.

– The media suggested that only the Sámi are guilty of this conflict.

The Finnish Transport Agency raised its hands. It is not reported to deal with the complaint.

At the same time, it is saved from the dirty laundry.

In the winter, the reindeer eat mainly lichen, which is why its routes cannot be predicted months in advance. Therefore, the Sámi appeal arrived so late to the authorities.

Now it is clear that the reindeer have found lichen at least in the Västervik special test (EKs 16-17).

– No 1600 reindeer to move anywhere in one day. For that, we should have had a working dialogue with the rally people.

The decision would have been either a huge setback for the organizers of the World Rally or the murder of the Sámi community.

As it did not come in time, the rally will probably be driven as planned.

– I can’t say for sure there are no reindeer there. In the first year (2022) Örträsk’s special test had to be canceled for just that.

That same fear is now.

– Then the conflict would worsen.

Common Sámi

Of course, the Sámi rights have improved from what they were in the late 19th century, but there are still problems when their livelihoods come across the desire of the Swedes to establish mines or hack the forest.

The situation is very similar on the Finnish side.

-Especially during the current government, we have taken the rear steps, Karlsson refers to the influence of the Swedish Democrats.

Rally dispute is not one single case. These are created evenly in Finland, Sweden and Norway.

– There are fishermen Sámi in Norway. Their activities have been considered to disturb oil drilling, Karlsson knows.

The common thing about Sámi problems is that they often do not want to see the indigenous perspective at all.

It’s about the proud Sami heritage.

– We have a lot to learn. The municipality, the organizers and we have to sit down immediately after this rally and think about how to do next year.

– Nobody wants this to repeat next year.