Protecting Our Memory from Being Blasted Away : Archaeological Supradisciplinary Research Retracing Sámi History in Gállok/Kallak

• Main Author: Larsson, Gunilla
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: Uppsala universitet, Centrum för genusvetenskap 2014
• Subjects: Sámi; Saami; Archaeology; Supradisciplinary research; Indigenous peoples; Indigenous methodologies; Arkeologi; History; Historia; Gender Studies; Genusstudier; saami
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-360364

Sámi history is largely absent in national Swedish history-writing and Swedish history education at primary schools, secondary schools, high schools and university teachings, and it is only very limited at present within research in Sweden. Moreover, archaeological research has traditionally been colonialist. Interestingly, during the last years of the National Survey for Ancient Monuments by the Swedish Board of Antiquities, 1984-1996, there was an increased awareness of the Sámi cultural heritage, and related research was initiated along with new methods for finding Sámi remains. However, when this survey ended the specific knowledge and methods within it disappeared. Swedish law stipulates that no registered archaeological sites can be destroyed without prior investigation and documentation. Yet current lack of knowledge, as well as lack of investment in finding Sámi heritage and history preserved in the ground, means that such archaeological riches are threatened to be eradicated forever by the current boom of mining enterprises and other exploitation projects. This loss will happen unless the ground and archaeological groundwork are protected by a collaboration ofengaged activists and scholars. This chapter discusses the case of Gállok/Kallak, by the Lule River in NorrbottenCounty, and the recent work performed in recovering this heritage. Before any actual mining can start there must be an archaeological investigation. Such an investigation was performed for the area of Gállok, however several archaeological sites found by local inhabitants were not registered. In September 2012 a collaboration between Sámi activists struggling against the mine and Sámi scholarsfrom Uppsala University resulted in a four-day-long investigation of remains.The paper discusses this supradisciplinary collaboration and possible consequences of the mining project.The Sámi People are the Indigenous People of Scandinavia. However, our full history has never been written, and our opinion is never seriously considered when important ...