NEW GENERATION OF SÁMI FEMALE SINGERS

We see clearly that the generation that is growing up now has a whole new pride and impetus to be Sami, which their parents and grandparents did not have the opportunity to show.

When asked what is changed for the Sami people in the past 20 years – the answer would be that we are still colonized, but one important thing has changed: Now we have the rights and opportunities to rediscover ourselves, to show the world what we the Sami – as a people have to offer. What good we can contribute to the world? What values do WE have? We have that opportunity now. Our parents and grandparents couldn’t do that – since everything Sami was forbidden.

At present, in 2019, in Sápmi (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia) there are young forward-thinking ladies in their 20s who have made their mark.

On Finnish side of Sápmi:

Hilda Länsmann and her mother Ulla Pirttjärvi with their band Solju.

Reindeerherders. They have been nominated to many awards in Finland.

On Swedish side of Sápmi:

Sara Ajnnak, reindeerherder. Nominated to the Swedish award “Grammis”.

On Norwegian side of Sápmi:

Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen, won “singing with the stars” TV show in Norway, and has been involved in several major TV productions. Of the age 20, she has already won Sami awards, and certainly wins Norwegian prize soon, we expect.

Unfortunately it is very hard to keep track what happens in Russia.

Today’s generation takes advantage of all the possibilities and it gives me hope for the future – a resurrection for all the Sami who have been opressed.

Also read: How can we contribute?,