Indigenous worldviews are shaped by our relationship to the land; the worlds we live in and besides are created in a mutual interaction between and to people, land, waters, entities, and cosmology. It is this nexus of relations that shapes our very existence as ways of being (ontology), of knowing (epistemology), and doing (axiology).
In the (North) Sámi language, this is expressed as ‘birgejupmi’.
Conceived of as the 'maintenance of good life', birgejupmi express that in order for someone to live a good life both socially, economically, spiritually and in respect to health, it is necessary to maintain a close connection between people and communities, to landscape, environment, ecosystem and cosmology.
Within such a philosophy, the land is recognized as an entity with a subjective will. Sadly, the knowledge systems of the West, with few exceptions, are dependent on a human centric perspective. Exposed to such epistemic ignorance, Indigenous perspectives on the land is disregarded. Instead, the land that offers us nourishment and ground our communities, becomes an an object for the taking; something that may be claimed for selfish and financial reasons.
In this conversation, Indigenous Sámi human rights-and land defenders are convened to speak on their relationship to land as well as their land-based practices. In so doing, we also challenge the Western and colonial understanding of land and the consequent disregard of the subjectivity of non-human entities, exploring the notions of land rights and the process of landback. The conversation is commissioned by Oslo School of Environmental Humanities (OSEH) at the University of Oslo and facilitated by Sámi scholar Dr. Liisa-Rávná Finbog, from the Norwegian side of the border.
Also participating in the discussion are poets and human rights-and land defenders Ida Helene Benonisen and Timimie Märak from the Norwegian and Swedish side of the border, respectively, as well as influencer, human rights-and land defender, Emmi Nuorgam from the Finnish side of the border, and lastly, politician, duojár, human rights-and land defender Beaska Niillas from the Norwegian side of the border.
Practical information:
The event is held in English, it is free and open for all, but we appreciate you sign up if you plan on coming:
If you need access to elevator or any other assistance, contact us by phone here: 901 31 755.