Metsähallitus Plays a Part in Preserving Sámi Culture
The Sámi are an indigenous people living in northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. They have their own language, culture, ways of life and identity. There are approximately 7,000 Sámi living in Finland.
Metsähallitus manages state-owned lands within the Sámi homeland, which is located in northern Finland in the municipalities of Enontekiö, Inari and Utsjoki as well as in parts of Sodankylä as concerns the Lapland Reindeer Husbandry Area. The natural resources Metsähallitus
Language and Self-rule
In the Nordic countries people are determined Sámi if they speak one of the Sámi languages. There are three different Sámi languages spoken in Finland; Inari, Koltta and Northern Sámi. In spirit of the Sámi Language Act, which was ratified in 2004, more press releases, guides, permits, agreements and other materials issued by Metsähallitus or state officials are available in Sámi. The Sámi Parliament is an autocratic administrative organ, which manages matters of language, culture and the standing of the Sámi as an indigenous people.
Culturally Historical Sites
In the areas managed by Metsähallitus, such as Lemmenjoki and Urho Kekkonen National Parks, cultural heritage sites have been restored in cooperation with the National Board of Antiquities and labour authorities. Some sites in this area are the Sallivaara reindeer round up site, Matti Musta’s cabin and the Suomu Koltta Sámi settlement. The old farm at Lemmenjoki once owned by Kaapin Jouni, a famous reindeer herder, has been added to the National Park. State-owned areas managed by Metsähallitus also include many ancient places of worship, such as Ukonsaari Island in Lake Inarijärvi.
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