History History

The history of Lapland begins with the history of the Sami, even before that of the Europeans. However, tracing the history of a nomadic people is a complex task. Moreover, the Sami have a strong oral tradition, which does not simplify the matter. The origin of the Sami, as well as that of their languages, is controversial. However, the first attested traces date back 10,000 years. Settled in the extreme north of Europe, they are renowned for their craftsmanship and their know-how in fishing, hunting and boat building. Long before the development of the Swedish, Finnish or even Viking cultures, the Scandinavian peninsula was therefore populated by the Saemieh. The first written document that seems to mention the Saami is Tacitus' Germania, where he speaks of the Fennis, living on the other side of the Swabian Sea - the Baltic - in the vicinity of the Aestiis, in the regions where the Proto-Finnish are thought to have lived at the beginning of our era. It is the whole of these last ones - and not only the Estonians - that would designate the name of Aestii. In Norwegian, the word "Finn" refers exclusively to the Sami. The word Skridfinn, which would designate a Sami who skis, is still in use in Norway since Finn is a pseudonym for Sami, and has given its name to Finnmark, one of the regions where Sami are particularly numerous. It is possible that it first designated the inhabitants of Finland and only later took on the meaning of "Finnish" in other languages, notably in Swedish. It should be noted, however, that Ptolemy, in his Geography, already mentions two distinct peoples bearing the same name "Phinnoi", one of whom inhabits the northern part of the "island of Scandia".

Unlike other Arctic peoples, the Saami came into early contact with southern populations. Although Saami tales suggest that there was a long conflict with the Vikings, it is certain that there were many lasting trade links, and later with travelers from northern Europe such as merchants from the Hanseatic League. Because of these contacts, Saami society was able to develop a monetary system - a little known fact - to facilitate trade in salt, coins (often used as ornaments) and metal for the typical knife. From the beginning of their history, the Saami were subjected to taxation by their various neighbors.

The push of the great Scandinavian countries brought new beliefs to Lapland. However, the first attempt at evangelization did not take place until the end of the 13th century in Norway. In the kingdom of Sweden-Finland, they did not come into contact with Christianity until the middle of the 16th century, and several pastors of the 18th century are known for the energy with which they fought against shamanism and witchcraft, both Saami beliefs.

The Norwegians settled near the fjords and forced the Sami to turn to agriculture and cattle breeding. Reindeer were already the mainstay of their activities. A century later, the process accelerated. While some Saami continued to live a nomadic life, towns such as Inari became trading centres.

King Gustav Vasa of Sweden declares that the unused land in the far north belongs to God and the Swedish Crown. Fishing and hunting (still the most important activities) were to be taxed.

Construction of the first church in Lapland. Thereafter, the persecution of the Sami increased, including the destruction of gathering places and idols. The foundation of the Orthodox monastery in Petsamo (Petchenga) in 1550 marked the beginning of the conversion of the Lapps of Kola to Orthodoxy.

The mine in Nasafjäll was opened by the Swedish government and the Sami were forced to work there. The local population fled despite the control of military troops.

The official start of the settlement of the Saami region. Swedes are invited to colonize the northern regions with land and financial aid. Hunting reduced the chances of survival of the traditional native way of life.

Persecution of the Sami practicing their religion, destruction of the sites of the gathering places and idols.

Lars Nilsson of Arjeplog was burned for witchcraft after he tried to save the life of his grandson who had fallen into a creek.

The king of Sweden declares the Saami presence in Västmanland, Kopparberg and Gästrikland illegal.

Lapland is created by royal decree; in this region, hunting rights are divided between Saami and settlers. The Trömstad Agreement, which delimited the border between Norway and Sweden, allowed them to cross the line freely in order to ensure the seasonal migration of reindeer. From then on, they were only imposed in one country. The nation-states thus imposed their views on nomadic peoples for whom the notion of a border had previously been meaningless.

The New Testament was translated into the language of Ume-Sami, while the Old Testament was not translated until 1811.

A Saami-Swedish dictionary, the Lapponicum, was written for missionaries.

The construction of nomadic schools contributed to the development of education. The evangelical movement founded by the pastor Laestadius had many followers among the Lapps, especially in Finland and Norway.

Creation of the border between Finland (then a regional power) and Norway.

The Bible is translated into the Åarjel (or South Sami) language.

The strict demarcation of the northern borders between Finland, Sweden and Norway has left this nomadic people in disarray. They were de-classified in Scandinavia and Finland and were forbidden to use their mother tongue in Norwegian and Swedish schools. The independence of Finland in 1917, previously and successively a province of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Grand Duchy of Russia, changed the situation slightly. The 1919 constitution ensures formal respect for minorities.

The Swedish Parliament (the Stortinget) declares that the lands of Finnmark and Norway have never had rules, therefore the Sami have no rights.

Revolt in the Norwegian province of Kautokeino following an administrative decision to ban access to Saami hunting grounds. Shortly before, the border to Finland had also been closed. A religious claim is added to these angers.

A frontier is created for the protection of the Saami in the mountains of Sweden. According to many analysts, it is equivalent in many respects, if not similar, to the reserves in North America, which have also been overrun by settlers. No special measures were taken for the regions and the forest nomads.

The Karlstad Convention dissolves the union between Norway and Sweden. The nomadic mountain Sami must decide who they belong to.

The Norwegians adopted a plan that assigned the best land to the settlers.

Prohibition of the Sami language in schools.

The first national conference of the Sami community is held in Sweden (Östersund).

The independence of Finland, previously and successively a province of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Grand Duchy of Russia, changes the situation slightly.

A law was passed to recognize the Saami as community leaders of the reindeer herds and to allow them to pursue other activities. However, this protection reorganized the traditional Sami structure in a very strong way, which saw nomadic herding become a secondary activity. Many traditional communities disappeared: the Sami farmers assimilated into Swedish society.

World War II. Norwegian and Finnish Lapland were hit hard by the German attacks. The settlement of Scandinavian peoples in the Saami regions brought its share of difficulties for the nomads. In addition to bullying and forced annexation of territory, the Scandinavians also imported a European war into the Lappish territories. The Second World War remains a terrible episode for this region, systematically devastated by the German troops. All the houses were destroyed, the villages razed and the inhabitants evacuated. Only a few outlying houses were spared and still retain the authentic character of the old dwellings.

Lapland, like the rest of Europe, had to rebuild itself after the Second World War and it was not until the 1950s and 1960s that industries developed (especially forestry and mining).

A radio station created in Sweden by and for the Sami community.

Reindeer grazing areas are defined in a new way: national governments have more means of legislation. Many Sami communities are organizing themselves to counter these laws.

Establishment of a Saami delegation in Finland, in Inari.

The Alta conflict. In Norway, the construction of a hydroelectric power station on the Alta river is perceived as a threat to Sami communities. They mobilize. For many, it's the beginning of a transnational consciousness.

Creation of the Samedeggi Parliament in Norway, following the Alta conflict.

Chernobyl nuclear disaster: fish, meat and vegetables are contaminated. In Sweden, 73,000 reindeer are considered "unfit for consumption". Thousands of reindeer are then slaughtered. This was another blow to the Sami people, who lost the mainstay of their economy. The government promised reimbursements that were soon forgotten.

Creation of the Saami flag.

First elections to the Sami Parliament in Norway.

First election to the indigenous parliament in Sweden, founded a year earlier. The Swedish government decides that the Saami have exclusive rights to hunt in their community: permits are sold to Swedish residents and foreign hunters. This situation was unacceptable to the Saami, who saw it as a violation of the Human Rights Agreement and Agenda 21 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

In the same year, the International Saami Festival is celebrated for the first time.

Sweden and Finland join the European Union.

Creation of the Saami Parliament of Finland.

Inscription of 940,000 hectares in Swedish Lapland on the Unesco World Heritage List on the basis of natural and cultural criteria.

Second Same Parliament election in Sweden. On 21 September, 55.3% of the people of Malå voted "no" in a referendum to store nuclear waste (plutonium) within the community's borders. This refusal is the beginning of a new political force emerging in Scandinavia.

A sacrificial stone from Sandfors, near the town of Malå (Sweden), essential to the Sami culture, is back in its original place. It had been placed in the Skellefteå museum since the early 1960s. On August 23, an official ceremony celebrates its return.

Creation of the Same Parliamentary Council. International Union of the Three Parliaments.

Adoption of the euro in Finland. Norway, for its part, remains outside the Union, but it is putting in place numerous agreements to facilitate the movement of people and goods, particularly in Scandinavia.

On 15 February, the court gave its final verdict. The Saami of Härjedalen, Sweden, no longer have special rights to hunt reindeer.

Sweden refuses to adopt the euro in a referendum.

The Language Act, which aims to promote the use of minority and regional languages, comes into force in Finland.

Finnmark Act passed by the Norwegian Saami Parliament. It recognizes Saami customs and land rights.

Sweden sets a precedent by recognizing for the first time privileged access to the territory for three Saami villages.

Sajos, the Finnish Saami Parliament, has inaugurated a new, architecturally superb building in Inari to house its parliamentarians.

Norway reaffirms its opposition to EU membership. The "no" vote wins by 70%.

After 11 years of negotiations, the Sami of Finland, Norway and Sweden have agreed to sign a convention to protect their rights and culture. This is an important event, even if it will have to be voted on by the various national parliaments before it has any legal force.

The record 2.9 million visitor nights achieved in 2019 in Rovaniemi has been divided by six, in the midst of a global pandemic.

Finland joins NATO on April 4, 2023. It thus becomes the ^31st member country, breaking with its policy of non-alignment in force since 1990. The main reason was the threat of a Russian invasion following the war in Ukraine. Finland and Russia share more than 1,300 km of land borders that need to be protected. Finland has begun building barbed-wire fences, with several sections scheduled for completion in 2026 in the most threatened locations.

At the same time, Sweden has also applied for NATO membership, a move still blocked by Turkey at the time of writing.