A fieldwork-based study on the impacts of natural resource extraction on the Sámi reindeer herding community in Norrbottens Län, Sweden
Authors
Møller, Isabel Bjerrum ; Christensen, Emilie Skov
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-05-31
Pages
80
Abstract
This thesis examines how large-scale natural resource extraction, with a focus on iron ore mining in Kiruna, Norrbottens Län, affects Sámi reindeer herding communities. The study is based on qualitative fieldwork using semi-structured interviews and observations with Sámi herders in and around Kiruna. Situated within the EU’s green transition and drive for resource independence, the analysis draws on concepts of Sweden’s internal colonization of Sápmi, green colonialism, resource colonialism, and liminality. Herders report reduced possibilities to practice reindeer herding as their ancestors did, strains on mental health, a sense of detachment from land and ancestors, and the loss of valuable traditional knowledge. The thesis argues that these outcomes are enabled by the Sámi’s liminal position in Swedish society, in which they are both hyper-visible and invisible. Overall, the study concludes that mining’s impacts are not only direct and practical but also mental, structural, and existential for Sámi communities.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan udvinding af naturressourcer, især jernmalmeudvindingen i Kiruna, Norrbottens Län, påvirker samiske rensdyrhold. Undersøgelsen bygger på kvalitativt feltarbejde med semistrukturerede interviews og observationer blandt samiske rensdyrhyrder i og omkring Kiruna. I lyset af EU’s grønne omstilling og ambitioner om råstofuafhængighed analyseres de lokale konsekvenser gennem begreber om intern kolonisering af Sápmi samt grøn og ressourcekolonialisme og liminalitet. Hyrderne beskriver forringede muligheder for at praktisere rensdyrhold som deres forfædre, belastet mental sundhed, en følelse af at være løsrevet fra land og forfædre samt tab af værdifuld traditionel viden. Specialet argumenterer for, at disse processer muliggøres af samernes liminale position i det svenske samfund, hvor de på én gang er hyper-synlige og usynlige. Samlet set peger studiet på, at minedriftens påvirkninger ikke kun er direkte og praktiske, men også mentale, strukturelle og eksistentielle for de samiske lokalsamfund.
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