This year’s Sámi National Day is historic – ethical guidelines for Sámi research have been awaited since the 1970s

Sámi National Day is celebrated on February 6. It was added to the Finnish calendar as an official celebration in 2004, but its roots trace back to 1917. That year, the first Nordic Sámi Conference was held, where issues concerning the Sámi people were addressed.
Henkilö on aurinkolasit päässä ja värikäs huivi olkapäillä liehuu tuulessa.

One of the key topics in Sámi studies since the 1970s has been the importance of ethical guidelines. This year marks the first Sámi National Day where, after six years of active work, ethical guidelines for Sámi research have been established. The guidelines were completed on May 30, 2024.

The ethical guidelines for research concerning the Sámi provide guidance on recognizing and respecting Sámi society, culture, traditions, and rights.

“The foundation of the guidelines is respect and appreciation for Sámi society and knowledge. This means acknowledging and considering the Sámi languages, Sámi knowledge, traditions, and rights. I personally believe that these guidelines can offer valuable and practical fundamental principles for researching and engaging with other communities as well,” says Sigga-Marja Magga, Director of the Giellagas Institute at the University of Oulu and a member of the working group.

The aim of the guidelines, in accordance with the research ethics principles of Indigenous peoples, is to establish culturally safe methods and conditions for conducting research. The guidelines apply to research on the Sámi, Sámi society, and Sámi communities across all academic disciplines.

They also cover research conducted in the Sámi homeland that may impact the Sámi people. Similar ethical guidelines have been published and applied in research on Indigenous peoples in the Americas and Australia.

The creation of the ethical guidelines has been a collaborative effort involving multiple parties. The working group included representatives from the University of Oulu, the University of Helsinki, the University of Lapland, the Sámi Parliament in Finland, and the Sámi Education Institute. The guidelines were developed in collaboration with Sámi communities and researchers.

Ethical guidelines for research involving the Sámi people in Finland

News: Ethical Guidelines for Research Involving the Sámi People in Finland Released

Last updated: 6.2.2025