Sámi languages in research were discussed at the national Science Publishing Days

The first speaker of the Sámi-themed program at the national Science Publishing Days (Tiedejulkaisemisen päivät) was Sigga-Marja Magga, director of the Giellagas Institute and a researcher at FRONT.

Sigga-Marja Magga presented recently published ethical guidelines for Sámi research and the need for them

Magga has been involved in a working group that, as a result of long efforts this year, published ethical guidelines for Sámi research in collaboration with the University of Lapland, the University of Helsinki, and the University of Oulu. The guidelines provide advice on culturally sensitive approaches when researching Sámi culture. Considering cultural values, norms, and collective self-determination is crucial.

"The guidelines help to determine whether the research question is even relevant: this requires recognizing the community and engaging in dialogue with Sámi people," Magga summarized.

She also discussed the significance of Sámi handicrafts, or duodji, to Sámi culture: handicrafts are a form of cultural revitalization that also serves as a tool for analyzing Sámi history and culture and examining the relationship between Sámi people and wider society.

There is still a significant need for deep language proficiency in all Sámi languages

Riitta Koikkalainen from National Library of Finland spoke about the support for the Northern Sámi language, which has been built into the National Library's digital Finna and Finto services from 2022 to 2024 with the support of the Alfred Kordelin Foundation to promote linguistic rights and equality.

A panel discussion delved into the status of Sámi languages, Sámi research, and communication about research in Sámi languages. The panelists were:

• Sigga-Marja Magga, University Lecturer, Giellagas Institute, University of Oulu
• Tapio Nykänen, Associate Professor, Giellagas Institute & FRONT, University of Oulu
• Marja-Liisa Olthuis, University Lecturer, Giellagas Institute, University of Oulu
• Riitta Koikkalainen, Information Specialist, National Library of Finland
  The discussion was led by Taina Cooke, Diversity Expert, University of Oulu, and Heidi Enwald, University Lecturer, University of Oulu.

The discussion highlighted that writing in Sámi—especially scientific Sámi—needs its own forum, as it represents its own genre.

For example, the orthography of Northern Sámi was long unsettled, with an approved writing system only established in 1978. There is still a significant need for deep language proficiency in all Sámi languages.

The perspectives of Indigenous peoples are being raised more frequently in discussions about polycrises and climate change

Interest in Sámi cultural research is not diminishing; on the contrary, it is increasing, as the perspectives of Indigenous peoples are being raised more frequently in discussions about polycrises and climate change.

Interest in Sámi cultural research is not diminishing; on the contrary, it is increasing, as the perspectives of Indigenous peoples are being raised more frequently in discussions about multiple crises and climate change. Therefore, the ethical guidelines are crucial to aid research and avoid the research fatigue previously experienced by Sámi people.

Read more about the ethical guidelines for Sámi research here.