Sami Siida of North America
Encyclopedia
The Sami Siida
of North America is a loosely organized group of regional communities, primarily in Canada and the United States, who share the Sami
(Saami) culture and heritage from northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. This area, traditionally known as Sápmi or Samiland to the Sami, but also known as Lapland. Individuals within the North American Siida are immigrants, descendants of immigrants, or are supporters of the Sami culture, although may not have any family lineage from Sápmi.
, American Swedish Institute
, and the Norwegian-American Bygdelagenes Fellesraad [NABF]. Within the NABF, the Siida has a strong representative status as a separate Lag under that organization, under the Lapmark Lag.
The Siida also serves as a cultural ‘storehouse’ to disseminate and exchange knowledge between individuals about Sami culture and provide moral support for a cultural identity that is spread out over an entire continent. The Siida also acknowledges individuals who are considered ‘elder
s’ within the community because of their cultural knowledge, and who are sought after for this reason. The Siida claims to be the single active representative of the Sami culture in North America. The Siida also maintains an observer seat on the International Saami Council
.
system, which covers a whole range of Sami culture and economic interests such as, pastoral rights for reindeer herding, geography, varied economic agreements, and describes a legal definition of varying degrees within each of the Scandinavian countries. Within North America, these legal definitions of “siida” do not apply. Rather it is a group of individuals and families who have chosen to identify and show support the Sami culture and the immigrant issues that are inherent of the North American Sami.
The Siida was started in 1995 and the Arran
newsletter is the official publication of the Siida and is published four times a year. Arran is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Siida
The siida is a Sami local community that has existed from time immemorial. A siida , or a "reindeer pastoralistic district," is a Sami reindeer foraging area, a group for reindeer herding and a corporation working for the economic benefit of its members...
of North America is a loosely organized group of regional communities, primarily in Canada and the United States, who share the Sami
Sami people
The Sami people, also spelled Sámi, or Saami, are the arctic indigenous people inhabiting Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of far northern Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Kola Peninsula of Russia, and the border area between south and middle Sweden and Norway. The Sámi are Europe’s northernmost...
(Saami) culture and heritage from northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. This area, traditionally known as Sápmi or Samiland to the Sami, but also known as Lapland. Individuals within the North American Siida are immigrants, descendants of immigrants, or are supporters of the Sami culture, although may not have any family lineage from Sápmi.
The Purpose of the North American Siida
The North American Siida often performs educational shows, Sami community get-togethers, and related events over the course of the year, often with other Scandinavian events such as FinnFestUSAFinnFestUSA
FinnFest USA is a summer festival held annually in locations throughout the United States of America. Aiming to celebrate Finland, Finnish America, and Finnish culture, the festival is organized by a 501 non-profit corporation with a national office maintained by its president, located presently in...
, American Swedish Institute
American Swedish Institute
The American Swedish Institute is a non-profit educational and research organization and museum in the Phillips West neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The organization is dedicated to the preservation and study of the historic role Sweden and Americans of Swedish heritage have...
, and the Norwegian-American Bygdelagenes Fellesraad [NABF]. Within the NABF, the Siida has a strong representative status as a separate Lag under that organization, under the Lapmark Lag.
The Siida also serves as a cultural ‘storehouse’ to disseminate and exchange knowledge between individuals about Sami culture and provide moral support for a cultural identity that is spread out over an entire continent. The Siida also acknowledges individuals who are considered ‘elder
Old age
Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle...
s’ within the community because of their cultural knowledge, and who are sought after for this reason. The Siida claims to be the single active representative of the Sami culture in North America. The Siida also maintains an observer seat on the International Saami Council
Saami Council
The Saami Council is an umbrella organization for Sámi organizations in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The Saami Council was founded during the 2nd Sámi Conference held in Karasjok, Norway on August 18, 1956 as the Nordic Saami Council. After the first Russian Sámi organization was accepted...
.
Differences between the North American and Scandinavian Siidas
The Scandinavian Sami siidaSiida
The siida is a Sami local community that has existed from time immemorial. A siida , or a "reindeer pastoralistic district," is a Sami reindeer foraging area, a group for reindeer herding and a corporation working for the economic benefit of its members...
system, which covers a whole range of Sami culture and economic interests such as, pastoral rights for reindeer herding, geography, varied economic agreements, and describes a legal definition of varying degrees within each of the Scandinavian countries. Within North America, these legal definitions of “siida” do not apply. Rather it is a group of individuals and families who have chosen to identify and show support the Sami culture and the immigrant issues that are inherent of the North American Sami.
The Siida was started in 1995 and the Arran
Árran (Sami publication)
Árran is an English language quarterly of Sami culture and news. The editor of Árran is Arden Johnson and was founded by the late Mel Olsen in 1995. Published by the Sami Siida of North America, the magazine is by and for Sami North Americans and friends. Árran headquarters are in Minneapolis,...
newsletter is the official publication of the Siida and is published four times a year. Arran is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
See also
- ÁrranÁrran (Sami publication)Árran is an English language quarterly of Sami culture and news. The editor of Árran is Arden Johnson and was founded by the late Mel Olsen in 1995. Published by the Sami Siida of North America, the magazine is by and for Sami North Americans and friends. Árran headquarters are in Minneapolis,...
: the North American Sami Newsletter. - Báiki: The International Sami JournalBáikiBáiki: The International Sámi Journal is a biannual English-language publication that covers Sami culture, history, and current affairs. The coverage also includes the community affairs of the Sami in North America, estimated at some 30,000 people. The magazine was first published in 1991...
. An English journal about Sami issues in North America and Internationally.