Eva Maria Fjellheim

• Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2023). “You Can Kill Us with Dialogue:” Critical Perspectives on Wind Energy Development in a Nordic-Saami Green Colonial Context. Human Rights Review. ISSN 1524-8879. 24(1), p. 25–51. doi: 10.1007/s12142-023-00678-4. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article explores Southern Saami reindeer herders’ experiences and contestations over state consultation and corporate dialogue during a confict over the Øy ellet wind energy project in Norway. Informed by a committed research approach and juxtaposition with findings from Indigenous peoples’ territorial struggles in Latin-America, the article provides critical perspectives on governance practices in a Nordic-Saami green colonial context. The research draws on ethnography from a consultation meeting between Jillen Njaarke, the impacted reindeer herding community, and state authorities, as well as diverse written material. The study suggests that the state- and corporate-led “dialogues” displaced the root cause of the confict, revealed epistemic miscommunication, and perpetuated relations of domination which limited emancipatory efects for Jillen Njaarke. The premises and discourses underpinning the “dialogues” further reproduced racist notions which devalue ancestral Saami reindeer herding knowledges, practices, and landscape relations. These findings challenge dialogue as prescription of good governance and confict resolution in a context where democracy and compliance with Indigenous peoples’ rights are perceived as high.

• Contreras, Josefa Sánchez; Ruiz, Alberto Matarán; Campos-Celador, Alvaro & Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2023). Energy Colonialism: A Category to Analyse the Corporate Energy Transition in the Global South and North. Land. 12(6), p. 1–15. doi: 10.3390/land12061241. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This article aims to define the category of energy colonialism in order to analyse the conflicts that are arising due to the deployment of renewable energy megaprojects in the Global South and in the peripheries of the Global North. First, the limits of the corporate energy transition are questioned, and based on an exhaustive bibliographic review, the category of energy colonialism is formulated along with six dimensions that characterise it: geopolitical; economic and financial inequalities; power, violence, and decision making; land grabbing and dispossession; impacts on territories and commons; resistance and socio-territorial conflicts. Based on this framework, we analyse and juxtapose different expressions of energy colonialism in four case studies; the isthmus of Tehuantepec (Oaxaca, Mexico), the territories of Western Sahara occupied by Morocco, the Saami territory in Norway, and the rural territories of Spain. The results from this study allow us to conclude that energy colonialism is a useful concept for understanding and critiquing the effects of the corporate energy transition and establishing a base for grassroots and decolonial alternatives in both the Global North and South.

• Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2022). Wind Energy on Trial in Saepmie: Epistemic Controversies and Strategic Ignorance in Norway’s Green Energy Transition. Arctic Review on Law and Politics. ISSN 1891-6252. 14, p. 140–168. doi: 10.23865/arctic.v14.5586. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Climate change policies and the green energy transition have renewed colonial structures and injustices for Indigenous peoples in land-use conflicts, but not without resistance. This article explores epistemic controversies in a legal struggle concerning impacts from wind energy infrastructure on Southern Saami reindeer herding and culture in Norway. The article draws on courtroom ethnography and diverse written material concerning a court case between the wind energy company Fosen Vind DA and the Southern Saami reindeer herders in Fovsen Njaarke Sïjte. The findings show that the parties’ competing claims to truth rely on different knowledge systems and worldviews concerning what Southern Saami reindeer herding is an ought to be. However, beyond onto-epistemological struggles between the “Indigenous” and the “Western”, Fosen Vind DA and the Norwegian state strategically ignored all knowledges that threatened capitalist and green colonial interests. The Fosen case illustrates how Indigenous peoples can contest dominant knowledge regimes and colonial presumptions about their livelihoods, culture, and rights through the legal system. However, the Norwegian state’s reluctancy to respect the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict reveals that asymmetric power relations continue to pave the way for colonial dispossession of Saami landscapes, epistemes, and human rights in the green energy transition.

• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2020). Through our stories we resist: Decolonial perspectives on south Saami history, indigeneity and rights. In Breidlid, Anders & Krøvel, Roy (Ed.), Indigenous Knowledges and the Sustainable Development Agenda. Routledge. ISSN 9780367425968. p. 207–226. doi: 10.4324/9780367853785-12. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Māori educator and scholar Linda Tuhiwai Smith (2012, p. 1) reminds us that «the term ‘research’ is inextricably linked to European imperialism and colonialism.» She argues that for centuries, Indigenous Peoples’ histories, knowledges, and practices have been written and presented through the eyes and voice of the colonizers. At the same time, she encourages indigenous scholars to be protagonists in research about and for ourselves. According to her, our counterstories can constitute powerful forms of resistance and contribute to decolonize academia and knowledge construction. Smith’s critical analysis of a colonial knowledge hierarchy is ecchoed across the indigenous world, also in Saepmie, the traditional territory of the Saami people in Fennoscandia. In this chapter, I critically examine the implications of a colonial narrative of south Saami history, indigeneity, and territorial rights in the Røros area in Norway. Through five generations of struggles and resilience, I have my own counterstory to tell.

• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2013). Utmarkskonflikt i sørsamisk område: Etnisitet, identitet og rettigheter. Plan - tidsskrift for samfunnsplanlegging, regional- og byutvikling. ISSN 0805-083X. 45(3). Full text in Research Archive

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• Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2026). Conference presentation of Home in Crisis at "Radical Interdisciplinarity: Indigenous Knowledge". Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2026). Artist conversation on "Resisting Extractivism". doi: https:/www.borealisfestival.no/en/events2026/borealis-samtale-x-varmere-vatere-villere/. Full text in Research Archive
• Graugaard, Naja Dyrendom; Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher; Myong, Lene & Müller, Anders Riel (2026). Filmvisning: Grønlands Hvide Guld — Litteraturhuset i Stavanger. doi: https:/www.litthusstvg.no/program/filmvisning-grnlands-hvide-guld. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  What happens when Indigenous land generates enormous wealth, while the people who belong to it are left with nothing? Orsugiak – Greenland’s White Gold uncovers the forgotten history of cryolite extraction in Ivittuut in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and reveals how riches flowed to Denmark, while the Indigenous population bore the consequences of a Danish mine on their ancestral territory. The film challenges Denmark’s colonial self-image and shows how the exploitation of Indigenous lands continues to shape the relationship between Denmark and Kalaallit Nunaat. The film traces the flow of money generated by cryolite extraction and demonstrates how most of the value ended up outside Kalaallit Nunaat, financing central Danish institutions. It challenges the myth of Greenland as an economic burden and exposes how colonial economies operate, historically and today, as well as the consequences for those living with the legacy of colonisation. The film will be shown with English subtitles. The screening will be followed by a panel conversation in English featuring one of the film’s central participants Naja Dyrendom Graugaard, Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen, and Eva Maria Fjellheim, currently a researcher at University of Oslo. The discussion will be moderated by Anders Riel Müller/Yeonjun Song from the University of Stavanger.

• Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2025). Presentation of Home in Crisis at the workshop "Indigenous Knowledge and Art in the Academy". Full text in Research Archive
• Berg-Nordlie, Mikkel; Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher & Ellingsen, Henrikke Sæthre (2023). Fosen-saken, menneske­rettigheter og kunnskap som aksjonsform. Full text in Research Archive
• Henriksen, Jan-Erik; Kramvig, Britt; Hermansen, Nina; Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher & Holmberg, Aslak (2023). Comprenhensive Policy Brief to the EU commision: Roadmap to decolonial arctic research. Full text in Research Archive
• Olsen, Torjer Andreas; Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher; Berg-Nordlie, Mikkel & Fraser, Crystal (2023). Accountability, Communication and Respect: Establishing an ethical framework for involving indigenous peoples in Arctic Research. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2022). Panelsamtale: Hvor kommer neste gjennombrudd for retten til land og vann? Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2022). Hva med samiskheten da? [Radio]. Intervjuet i podcasten Decolonize it. Full text in Research Archive
• Ellingsen, Henrikke Sæthre; Normann, Susanne & Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2022). Utbygging uten samtykke. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Næringslivet tar høyesterettsdommen i Fosen-saken på alvor. Hva gjør norske myndigheter?

• Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2022). Experiences of doing decolonial research in a Nordic-Saami (green) colonial context. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). indigenous peoples' capacity to act for sustainability. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Colonialisme vert dans le Grand Nord | épisode № 03: Eolien et carburants verts: vents contraires en terre arctique. [Internet]. Heidi.News. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Colonialisme vert dans le Grand Nord | épisode № 02: Les gardiens du fjord: dans les tranchées de la transition verte. [Internet]. Heidi.News. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Vindkraft vs. menneskerettigheter: kontroversene på Fosen og okkuperte Vest-Sahara. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Aksjonerte mot vindkraftverk: – Et ran. [Internet]. NRK Nordland. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Ođđasat TV. [TV]. NRK Sápmi. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Vindkraft i Åarjel Saepmie: Grønn Kolonialisme? Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Grønt skifte eller grønn kolonialisme? Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). - Fosen-saken vil bestemme oppfatningen av hvordan Norge ivaretar samenes rettigheter. [Internet]. Adressavisen. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Urfolk merker klimaendringene først. [TV]. Helgemorgen NRK P2. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Violent conflicts over indigenous peoples’ land. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). A través de nuestras historias resistimos: perspectivas decoloniales a la historia, indigeneidad y derechos Saami del sur. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Kommentar på presentasjonen "Sørsamiske reindrift - Vindkraft som grønn kolonialisme". Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Hohes Gericht. „LASST DAS FJELL LEBEN! LASST DAS FJELL LEBEN!“. [Internet]. Goethe Institute. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Ваша честь! ПУСТЬ ЖИВУТ ГОРЫ! [Internet]. Goethe Institut. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Conflicts over wind power in Southern Saepmie: The cases of Fosen and Øyfjellet. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Historisk vindkraftsak i Høyesterett. [Radio]. Helgemorgen NRK P2. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). En merkedag i samisk rettshistorie: Hva nå? [Journal]. Adressavisen. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2021). Wind power on trial in Åarjel Saepmie: disputed impacts, disputed territories. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2020). Colonialismo verde en Saepmie. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2020). Ærede Lagmannsrett. [Internet]. Harvest Magazine. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2020). ‘Green’ colonialism is ruining Indigenous lives in Norway. [Internet]. AlJazeera. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2020). Arctic Turbulence: Why Indigenous Communities Are Fighting Wind Farms. [Internet]. Novaramedia.com. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2020). Ærede Lagmannsrett. La fjella leve! La fjella leve! [Journal]. Fosnafolket. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2020). Kolonialismus in grünem Gewand. [Internet]. Enorm Magazine. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2020). Diálogo y colonialismo verde en territorio Saami y Maya: una conversación entre el Indígena Norte y Sur. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2019). Indigenous struggles in Art & Law. Full text in Research Archive
• Skaar, Elin; Spitzer, Aaron John; Fjellheim, Eva Maria & Malca, Camilia Gianella (2019). The Sami Truth Commission in a comparative perspective. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Truth commissions on violations against indigenous peoples In 2018 the Norwegian Parliament established a truth and reconciliation commission to look into historic abuses committed against the Norway’s Sami and Kven minorities. But within the Sami population there was significant resistance against this process. Similar commissions are underway or being discussed within and beyond Norway. This roundtable discusses the potential and possible pitfalls of truth commissions looking into abuses against indigenous peoples in a comparative perspective. Roundtable chaired by Elin Skaar (CMI). Participants: Aaron Spitzer (UiB), Eva Maria Fjjellheim (UiT), and Camilia Gianella (CMI).

• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2019). urfolk, miljøkrise og rettferdighet. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2019). Climate crisis and resistance in Saepmie. Full text in Research Archive
• Gianella, Camila; Skaar, Elin; Spitzer, Aaron & Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2019). Truth commissions on violations against indigenous peoples: the sami truth commission in comparative perspective. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2018). Decolonizing Academia: A south Saami perspective. Full text in Research Archive
• Fjellheim, Eva Maria (2018). Radio-cinema: Colonization and decolonization in Sápmi. Full text in Research Archive
• Rønningen, Katrina; Flemsæter, Frode & Fjellheim, Eva Maria Bircher (2012). Konflikter om utmarka. Full text in Research Archive

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