Gathered in the Sámi capital of Aanaar / Aanar / Anár (Inari), where three Sámi languages converge, the members of PEN International’s Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee (PEN-TLRC) had an extraordinary opportunity to meet with prominent representatives of Sámi civic life not only from Finland, but also from Sweden and Norway. Focusing on the language and literary rights of the Sámi people as a whole, PEN-TLRC received a series of presentations on the production and distribution of Sámi educational materials and fiction in different Sámi languages, both for schools and the general public.
After meeting and learning from Sámi Indigenous writers about the past injustices, as well as the current challenges and needs they face in their homelands, divided by multiple states, we at the PEN-TLRC fully embrace their demands, as follows:
1.- It is the responsibility of national education authorities to provide information to the majority of students about the Indigenous people of their respective lands, while also ensuring sufficient funding for the Sámi Parliaments in Finland, Sweden, and Norway to develop quality, up- to date learning materials for Sámi students.
2.- Organizations that promote literature in Norway, Sweden and Finland should consider Sápmi as a single region for Sámi applicants. The Sámi people existed before the current borders were established. While it is commendable that the Nordic countries provide translation funding from Sámi to the Nordic languages through the Nordic Council, we would like to see a greater initiative from the national authorities in Finland, Sweden and Norway to support the production of Sámi literature overall. Additionally, we call for initiatives directed towards the EU to improve support programs that strengthen the use of Sámi languages in literature and education.
3.- Sámi literature is part of the global Indigenous world and, as such, needs to reach a wider audience. For international publishing houses to recognize the qualities of Sámi literature, it must be acknowledged on a global scale. For that purpose, we need more translations into world languages, allowing readers to familiarise themselves with Sámi literature. Therefore, there should be opportunities for translations initiated by Sámi writers and publishing houses aimed at increasing awareness of and interest in Sámi literature. A separate program within the EU, in collaboration with national bodies that support translations of Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian literature into other languages, should also include provisions for translating Sámi literature into world languages.
We once again express our gratitude to the Sámi people, along with their writers, translators and publishers, for opening the doors to this fascinating Indigenous culture. We reiterate our commitment to supporting Sámi literature and the linguistic rights of Sámi language speakers.
In Aanaar / Aanar/ Anár (Inari), June 2024
In Oxford, September 2024
Read the statement in Spanish.
Read the statement in French.
