Norwegianization of the Sami People Omar Omokhodion LG 474 2016-17

Facts about the Population Over 100,000 Sami exist in the world 40,000 live in Norway Half of this population speak a Sami dialect 10 languages exist that are mutually unintelligible 6 of these have a written standard Most closely related to the Uralic linguistic family (Finnish, Estonian, Hungarian)

History of the Assimilation Swedish priests began following Sami reindeer herds to convert and educate the migrant populace during the 1700’s The Norwegian Parliament then criminalized Sami culture through a series of laws lasting until the 1950’s 1852 Kautokeino rebellion

Modern Language Policy The 1988 Article 110a of the Norwegian Constitution states: "It is the responsibility of the authorities of the State to create conditions enabling the Sami people to preserve and develop its language, culture and way of life". The Sami Language Act went into effect in the 1990s. Sami is now considered the official language of many municipalities. Sami Parliament exists to give further political avenue for the minority group

Suggestions Continue monitoring the various groups within Sami identity Reorganize the oversight of reindeer herds Acknowledge the 2011 UN Racial Discrimination Committee recommendations Improve bilingual education facilities Attempt to communicate with other states that also house Sami populations beyond the Norwegian borders