Sápmi

Background info

The Sámi peoples are the indigenous people of the Sápmi region which includes the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. For centuries these countries have exploited the Sápmi region through colonising the land and extracting natural resources. This exploitation still goes on to this day and happens via deforestation, disruptive wind-farms, mine prospections etc.

About the exploitative mining extraction happening:

Gállok: The British mining company Beowulf Mining has filed for permission to open an iron ore mine in Gállok which is located near the city of Jokkmokk, Sweden. The mine would devastate the ecosystem for a foreseeable future, restrain the reindeer herding grounds of Jåhkågasska´s samivillage as well as make up a severe threat to nearby lakes and rivers. In 2013 and 2014 protests held by local residents and activists intensified, and since 2015 the decision on whether or not the mine will be permitted is in the hands of the Swedish ministry for business, industry and innovation.

Riehppovuona in Kvalsund: In November 2019 the mining company Nussir ASA was given green light to dump waste from their copper mine into the Riehppovuona/Repparfjord in Kvalsund, Norway. Annually, the company will dump 2 million tonnes of waste into Riehppovuona that is one of few wild salmon-waters in Europe. This would severely harm the salmon stocks, the marine life and ecosystems in the area. This includes destroying local reindeer grazing areas which is integral to the Sámi villages in the area. Sámi and environmental organisers opposing the mine have now gathered interests from the public on organising further resistance as well as targeting investors of the mine. Protests against Nussir have been organised amongst others by the Sámi youth organisation of Norway, NSR Nuorat.

Hietakero: in April 2020 the Dutch-based Akkerman Exploration was granted reservation to search for minerals in Hietakero in the municipality of Enontekiö, Northern Finland. This permission was granted eventhough local Sámi residents are opposing the search for minerals in the area. The reservation reservation where Akkerman is allowed to search for minerals is part of the protected Natura 2000 network and mining would severely harm the valuable ecosystems of the area. The reservation is also made to one of the last areas in Finland where the traditional model for Sámi reindeer-herding (with siida village collectives) has been maintained and is still in use. Mining would make reindeer husbandry for the local Erkuna siida impossible.

Temperature rise

Recent statistics show Sápmi and nordic countries is heating up faster than the international average. For example, in Jokkmokk the temperature is already on average 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This heavily affects the ecosystems that amongst others reindeers and reindeer herders live off.

How you can help

Sign this petition to oppose the mine in Hietakero:

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Watch the documentary Gállok about the resistance towards the development of a mine:

https://www.doclounge.se/films/gallok⁠

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Sign this petition to oppose the Nussir copper mine:

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Take part it digital action by sharing a picture of yourself with this image make sure to tag @fff.digital on Insta

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Use the hashtag #noconsentnoaccess together with #defendthedefenders

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