The government of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) has appointed a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine historical injustices suffered by Finland’s indigenous Sámi people.
The commission’s task is to identify and assess historical and current discrimination against the Sámi people, including the Finnish state’s assimilation policy and violations of the indigenous community’s rights.
Another purpose of the commission will be to investigate how these injustices affect the Sámi people and their communities today, and also propose how links between the Finnish state and the Sámi people can be strengthened.
“The commission’s work is important because we need to look very transparently at what has happened in Finland’s history, how the Sámi have been treated in Finland and what kind of treatment they still face in this country,” PM Marin said at a press conference announcing the five members of the commission.
“Only by understanding what the Sámi have experienced can we truly find solutions for the future,” Marin added.
Report due in November 2023
The process of establishing the commission began in 2017, when then Prime Minister Juha Sipilä (Cen) entered into an agreement with the Sámi Parliament, and his government set aside 200,000 euros in that year’s supplementary budget to fund the creation of the commission.
The current administration then included the establishment of the commission in its programme for government.
Five members have been appointed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with Heikki J. Hyvärinen and Miina Seurujärvi appointed by the Sámi Parliament, Kari Mäkinen and Hannele Pokka by the Finnish state and Irja Jefremoff by the Skolt Sámi Siida Council.
The commission’s report is due to be submitted to the government, the Sámi Parliament and the Skolt Sámi Siida Council by 30 November 2023.
Anni-Kristiina Juuso, who compiled an extensive report into Sámi people’s views on the proposed truth and reconciliation process in 2018, welcomed the establishment of the commission.
“Truth and Reconciliation Commissions are important tools for finding out what has happened, so that we can then ask why it has happened and finally think about how we can ensure that this does not happen again,” Juuso told Yle.
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