The only indigenous people of the European Union Grace and Anika

Originally lived in Scandinavia Largest population in Norway 40,000 out of 70,000 After the black plague there was a division between the people that lead to the sea Sami and the mountain Sami

As Norway's economy increased in the 1800’s there was more pressure on the Sami to abandon their ways Went through an assimilation period in Norway: if you wanted to buy land you have to speak Norwegian While many Sami live in urban areas some still live as they originally did

1964 : the Norwegian Sami council was established 1989: Sami Parliament was established and elected by the Sami people 2005: Finnmark Act passed by the Norwegian parliament giving both political bodies joint responsibility for administering land that was previously state owned

Responsibilities of the Sami Parliament: -serve as the Sami elected political body -carry out administrative tasks delegated from national authorities or by law -Management of the Sami development fund -Responsibility for the development of the Sami language -Responsible for Sami culture and protection of the Sami cultural heritage sites -Development of Sami teaching aids

The Finnish constitution recognised the rights of the Sami in section 17 -right to ones language and culture and section 121 –municipal and other regional self-governments Self-governing body established in 1996 (the Sami Parliament), replacing the Sami delegation

Founded in 1992 Elected body but not a body for self- government Primary function is to protect and promote the culture of the Sami