The visit was organized as part of the staff and students’ mobility program under the project “Interdisciplinary curricula on indigenous and tribal peoples’ studies” participated by five Universities, including University of Lapland and University of Oulu from Finland and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, North Bengal University and Sikkim University from India. The UArctic Law Thematic Network and the UArctic Chair in Arctic Legal Research and Education provided practical support in the organization of the visit.
A group of twelve participants from the representing partner Universities participated in the study visit. The group visited three Institutions, including the Finnish Sámi Parliament in Inari, the Saami Education Institute and the Norwegian Sámi parliament in Karasjok.
On 24 May, the group was offered an introductory talk at the Saami Education Institute on educational activities performed by the Institute, followed by lively discussions on existing and future projects focusing on the Sámi livelihoods and food security issues. Discussions further continued over a traditional Sámi dinner served with reindeer soup. The group sought for possible collaboration with the Institute.
On 25 May, the group travelled to Karasjok and received a guided tour to the Norwegian Sámi Parliament, which provided a talk on the establishment, political processes, decision-makings and other functions of the Sámi Parliament. In addition, the group also had an excursion at the Sámi SIIDA museum in Inari. Altogether, the group travelled approximately nine-hundred kilometres in the Sápmi region starting from Rovaniemi to Inari, and then Inari to Karasjok, and finally back to Rovaniemi through Kautokeino. The group experienced the exotic beauty of the landscape of the Sámi homeland areas. The study visit provided an opportunity to gain the first-hand knowledge and learn through interactions with stakeholders directly, and it was a full of interesting learning experience.