Fosen Peninsula, Norway is home to a herd of reindeer that run through thick, white snow, creating a thunderous spectacle. This tradition has been passed down for over 10,000 years in eastern Norway, and Maja Kristine Jama, a member of a family of reindeer herders, is intimately familiar with it. Like many Sami reindeer herders, Jama knows the terrain by heart and was raised outdoors alongside the migrating reindeer instead of attending kindergarten, as is common in Norway. Reindeer husbandry in Norway follows the sustainable practices of Sami culture and is a vital part of the Arctic ecosystem. “Reindeer herding defines me,” Jama explains. “We are deeply connected to nature and have a strong sense of respect for it. Our tradition teaches us to live within the land, not just off of it. But unfortunately, we see our lands being destroyed.”
The Sami people, Europe’s oldest and last remaining Indigenous group, are facing significant threats such as land seizures, construction projects for resource extraction, and systematic discrimination. In response to these challenges, the Sami have reached out to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, recognizing a shared struggle for survival and Indigenous rights. Sami activist Ella Marie Haetta Isaksen explains, “There is an immediate urge to support those who are being displaced from their homes. We, as Indigenous people, resonate with the pain of being forced out of our lands.”
The Sami have a long history of struggle, dating back over 9,000 years when they lived as nomads in modern-day Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Colonization and the imposition of borders have had a lasting impact on the Sami, disrupting their way of life and eroding their cultural heritage. Today, the Sami face challenges ranging from climate change and language preservation to land seizures for resource extraction. The construction of wind farms on Sami land, such as the Fosen Peninsula, has sparked legal battles, with the Norwegian Supreme Court ruling that the projects violated Sami human rights. Despite this, many wind farms remain operational on Sami territory without adequate compensation.
The Sami’s struggles for self-determination and Indigenous rights have drawn parallels to the Palestinian cause, leading to solidarity and support between the two communities. Both groups share a history of displacement, marginalization, and resistance against colonial forces. As the Sami continue to advocate for their rights and cultural preservation, their alliance with the Palestinian people serves as a powerful symbol of global Indigenous solidarity against oppression.