Truth and reconciliation process concerning Sámi issues Report on hearings

• Main Author: Juuso, Anni-Kristiina
• Other Authors: Prime Minister's Office
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: Prime Minister's Office 2018
• Subjects: Sámi people; indigenous peoples; truth and reconciliation; commissions; truth; combining; Sámi
• Online Access: http://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10024/161203

The report contains a summary of the results of the hearings held as part of the preparations for the truth and reconciliation process concerning the Sámi people. The series of hearings, aimed in particular at members of the indigenous Sámi community, took place on 2 May–29 June 2018. The truth and reconciliation process currently in preparation in Finland is based on the international institution of truth and reconciliation commissions that emerged in the 1970s. Truth commissions or truth and reconciliation commissions refer to processes of investigating injustices that have taken place in history and uncovering the truth (i.e. what has happened) in order to prevent such injustices from occurring again. A central feature of commissions investigating injustices against indigenous peoples is that they aim primarily to highlight collective injustices rather than to investigate injustices faced by individuals. These collective injustices have had, and continue to have, various effects on individual people. The report discusses topics including the thoughts of the Sámi people concerning the reconciliation process in preparation in Finland, which issues the commission, if established, should investigate and what kinds of commissioners or commission leaders would enjoy the trust of the indigenous Sámi people. The report also elaborates on particular features that came up in the hearings in different areas and/or with different groups. The indigenous Sámi people feel that the truth and reconciliation process is generally a good idea. However, strong distrust was expressed concerning the idea that Finland is investigating the injustices faced by the indigenous Sámi people in good faith, bona fides.