Saami activism in the United Nations: an analysis of effectiveness internationally and at home

Abstract

The Saami of Norway, Sweden, and Finland have been politically active internationally since the 1960s and 1970s. In the last fifteen years their presence has been a major force in indigenous politics and human rights. They have interacted with other indigenous groups, and in numerous national and international political arenas. The motivation for this study is based on the desire to understand the role of Nordic Saami actors in the rapidly changing world of international indigenous politics and how international indigenous politics influences national politics. This study is important to understanding not only Saami politics but also indigenous politics in the larger global perspective. The research shows that the Nordic Saami have been tremendously influential within the United Nations. In turn, Nordic Saami international influence has directly changed Nordic indigenous policy domestically. These international and in turn, national changes led to a significant and wide-reaching improvement in human rights conditions for the Scandinavian Saami people and ultimately for indigenous people world-wide. This thesis evaluates the influence of the Saami on the United Nations and in turn the United Nation's influence on Nordic indigenous policies.