Umeå University's logo, which features three reindeer, is a concrete symbol of our affinity with Sámi issues. Some also believe our campus is built on previous reindeer grazing grounds, although this claim has been questioned, in light of the area's ecological features. Either way, it is an irrefutable fact that Umeå is part of Sápmi and that researching Sámi issues has always come naturally to Umeå University.
Dieter Müller, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
Photo: Mattias Pettersson
These days, we have a special national educational mandate to promote the Sámi languages – witness, for example, the nice banners hanging from the Humanities Building. In 2000, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities also founded Várdduo – Centre for Sámi Research. But the three other faculties also conduct Sámi research, which is about much more than just language: it is also about culture, history, art, health, law, reindeer husbandry, ecology, the use of natural resources, tourism and politics. Together, this makes Umeå University the number one location in the country for Sámi research. And this research is in demand; our researchers have participated and continue to participate in state and church commissions that analyse relationships to Sámi society.
The relationship between the Sámi as the indigenous people of Sweden and the Swedish state has long been asymmetrical, to say the least; for years, it was one of colonial abuse. To this day, land-use conflicts in the shadow of the current transformation of the north illustrate how the rights of indigenous peoples often clash with society's plans (which is why I expressly did not call the transformation "green"). At the same time, we need to remember that while the Sámi may be a national minority (comprising of fewer than 9,300 individuals who had the right to vote during the latest Sámi parliamentary elections), their society is far from homogenous. It consists of individuals from all over Sweden, each with their own opinions and political beliefs. In that sense, it is wrong to essentialise Sámi society. In academia, this means we need to study the different aspects of Sámi society from a variety of research fields and perspectives.
Just like in other scientific fields that people care deeply about, this diversity can result in disputes about scientific approaches, how to interpret results, etcetera. But in a way, this is a key part of scientific progress, especially when it comes to paradigm shifts. Still: to safeguard our scientific integrity, we need to keep rooting our arguments in a scientific, meticulous and systematic quest for new knowledge. The fact that this is not always easy was highlighted in two magazines, Universitetsläraren and Curie, this year.
But opposing views on how research should be conducted affects neither our fundamental need for new knowledge nor any advances made in other areas. Vision for Umeå University emphasises our desire to take responsibility for the future of "Northern Sweden, Sápmi and the Arctic region"; seeking additional funding for Sámi research, which is often left out of national research programmes, is an important step to achieving that vision. Doing so also complements some of our other initiatives, such as the Arctic Centre (ARCUM), the Arctic Graduate School, and the international Arctic Five partnership.
Umeå University is asking the Government to inject an additional SEK 10 million into Sámi research each year. We need these resources to be able to respond to the growing demand for new knowledge that exists in Sweden and abroad, where the only indigenous people officially recognised by the EU are a fascinating case for comparative studies. Especially in the field of public health, many say there is a particularly urgent need for data; the public sector clearly requires new health knowledge and expertise.
We hope the Government will heed our call. We believe that Umeå University's unique expertise justifies officially awarding our University a national mandate to serve as a knowledge centre for Sámi issues. This would mean a great deal for Sámi research in Sweden and at Umeå University and, by extension, hopefully also for different actors in both Sámi society and the rest of Swedish society.