New Book Available
"Samiska Rattsuppfattningar" (Sami Customary Law)
Available in Swedish Only for 33 EUR
By: Elina Helander
ISBN: 951-634-941-2
Northern Institute for Environmental and Minority Law
Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
To order the book, please e-mail:
marja.Collins [at] ulapland.fi
The author, Elina Helander, can be contacted at:
Phone and Fax: 358 16 677 444
E-mail: elina.helander [at] ulapland.fi
Elina Helander has authored a book on customary law among the Sami in
relation to land and resource use. Much of the content comes from
interviews with reindeer herders, fishermen, ptarmigan trappers,
hunters, gatherers and farmers in the Tana municipality in
East-Finnmark, Norway. The book is a part of a larger research program
conducted by the Norwegian Department of Justice and its aim is to
clarify the Sami traditions and conceptions regarding customary law.
OVERVIEW
The Sami people have always combined different economic activities, such
as reindeer herding, fishing, and trapping. Different customs are
established concerning such activities and land use. Customary law binds
people to follow the Sami cultural rules and they regulate the
relationships regarding land use. The customary rules are based on 1)
long-term use of the lands, waters and natural resources, 2) on Sami
social relationships and social norms, and 3) on ecological thinking.
In parts of northern Norway, the customary rules are still valid and in
use. They live side by side with the Norwegian laws. The existence of
the two sets of rules in the same social space creates problems. In many
cases, a question arises - are the Sami following the traditional
customary rules or formal Norwegian rules? The formal non-Sami laws
often hinder people from acting according to Sami cultural ways.
To order the book, please e-mail:
marja.Collins [at] ulapland.fi
The author, Elina Helander, can be contacted at:
Phone and Fax: 358 16 677 444
E-mail: elina.helander [at] ulapland.fi