Sámi Conference

The first international Sámi Conference was officially opened in Jokkmokk, Sweden on August 31, 1953 and closed four days later on September 3. Since then, the Sámi conferences have come to be important venues for the Sámi across Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia to come together and discuss critical Sámi issues. Delegates have used the conferences as a forum to approve cultural symbols such as the Sami flag, the Sámi anthem Sámi soga lávlla, Sami National Day, etc.

A list of the Sámi Conferences from 1953 to 2004

Conference

Location

Main theme

XVIII 2004

Norway

Sápmi for the Sámi

XVII 2000

Kiruna, Sweden

Self-governance

XVI 1996

Murmansk, Russia

Verddevuohta in the north — the Sámi model

XV 1992

Helsinki, Finland

The Sámi unite in Europe

XIV 1989

Lakselv, Norway

Self-governance

XIII 1986

Åre, Sweden

Tourism in Sápmi

XII 1983

Utsjoki, Finland

XI 1980

Tromsø, Norway

Sámi political program

X 1978

Arjeplog, Sweden

IX 1976

Inari, Finland

How do the Sámi live and why?

VIII 1974

Snåsa, Norway

Work and work methods at the (Nordic) Sámi Institute

VII 1971

Gällivare, Sweden

Sámi cultural policy

VI 1968

Hetta, Finland

Do the Sámi have a future in the Nordic Countries: Sámi, governmental and civil rights

V 1965

Tana, Norway

Sámi plans for the future

IV 1962

Kiruna, Sweden

Democracy and minorities

III 1959

Inari, Finland

Reindeer husbandry, language issues, etc.

II 1956

Karasjok, Norway

Scholastic and educational issues, natural resources and ways of making a living.

I 1953

Jokkmokk, Sweden

Bibliography