Ekokolonialismi | Petra Laiti

Summary

Ásllat-Mihku Ilmára, a 25-year-old Sámi from Inari, discusses the impact of climate change on indigenous communities, with a focus on Sámi people. Drawing on her experience as a political assistant to Maria Ohisalo, she explores the vulnerability of indigenous cultures, whose livelihoods are deeply tied to the land. Ilmára delves into the dangers of eco-colonialism, where indigenous lands are used for renewable energy projects without their consent, such as the destruction of Sámi grazing land for wind farms in Norway. She stresses the importance of understanding and respecting indigenous knowledge and cultures in addressing climate change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Ásllat-Mihku Ilmára, is a 25-year-old Sámi from Inari, Finland, with a background in business and currently working as a political assistant for Minister Maria Ohisalo.
• 😀 The speaker discusses the effects of ecocolonialism, the climate crisis, and its impact on indigenous peoples, focusing on the Sámi culture and way of life.
• 😀 There are approximately 360 million indigenous people worldwide, and the Sámi, with around 100,000 members, are one such group living in the Arctic region across four countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia.
• 😀 The Sámi culture is strongly linked to traditional livelihoods, including reindeer herding, fishing, hunting, and crafts, all of which are tied to the land and the environment.
• 😀 Sámi language reflects the deep connection to the land, with verbs describing natural phenomena and human-animal actions, emphasizing the synergy between culture, language, and land use.
• 😀 Indigenous peoples, including the Sámi, are especially vulnerable to the climate crisis, as their livelihoods depend on the land, and climate change disrupts the ecosystem they rely on.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges that Sámi are somewhat privileged within indigenous groups, with stronger access to safety nets compared to others, but still face isolation and marginalization.
• 😀 The loss of traditional lands due to climate change threatens the survival of indigenous cultures, as their identity and way of life are grounded in the sustainable use of these lands.
• 😀 The term 'ecocolonialism' refers to projects where indigenous lands are used for renewable energy projects, like wind farms, but primarily benefit the majority population, often without the consent of indigenous peoples.
• 😀 A current example of ecocolonialism is the wind energy boom in Norway, where a major wind farm was constructed on Sámi land, destroying crucial reindeer grazing areas, raising questions about the cost of renewable energy for indigenous communities.
• 😀 There is a cultural clash in how indigenous peoples and the majority population view land use and environmental protection, with indigenous peoples often being excluded from decision-making about their own lands and future.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of indigenous perspectives on land and climate change, advocating for a balance between participation, decision-making, and respect for indigenous ways of life.

Q & A

What is Ásllat-Mihku Ilmára's background?

Ásllat-Mihku Ilmára is a 25-year-old Sámi individual from Inari. She is a Master of Business Administration, a blogger, columnist, and active on Twitter. Currently, she works as a political assistant to Finnish Minister Maria Ohisalo.

What is the main topic of Ásllat-Mihku Ilmára's speech?

The main topic of the speech is the intersection of ecocolonialism, indigenous peoples, and the impact of the climate crisis on these communities, specifically focusing on the Sámi people.

How many indigenous people are there worldwide, and how many Sámi people are there?

There are approximately 360 million indigenous people worldwide, with around 600,000 living in the Arctic region. The Sámi people number around 100,000 and live in parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia.

What are the traditional livelihoods of the Sámi people?

The traditional livelihoods of the Sámi people include reindeer herding, fishing, hunting, and crafts. These practices are closely tied to the land and its sustainable use.

What is the significance of the Sámi people's language and culture?

The Sámi language and culture are deeply tied to the land and traditional livelihoods. The language, for example, has many verbs related to natural phenomena and actions, reflecting the synergy between the environment and the Sámi way of life.

How does the climate crisis affect indigenous peoples, particularly the Sámi?

The climate crisis particularly affects indigenous peoples, as their traditional livelihoods, such as reindeer herding and fishing, rely heavily on stable environmental conditions. Changes in climate disrupt their relationship with the land, making it harder for them to maintain their cultural practices.

What is 'ecocolonialism,' and how does it affect the Sámi people?

Ecocolonialism, or 'green colonialism,' refers to projects that use indigenous lands for renewable energy purposes, like wind power, without benefiting the indigenous communities. In Norway, for example, wind farms have been built on Sámi lands, disrupting reindeer grazing areas, highlighting the tensions between environmental progress and indigenous rights.

How does the state’s approach to climate action impact the Sámi?

The state's approach to climate action often overlooks the needs and rights of indigenous peoples. In the case of Sámi fishing rights, for instance, the Finnish government's decisions, such as limiting fishing rights in the Teno River, have been seen as prioritizing national or environmental goals over the rights and traditions of the Sámi people.

What is the danger of 'exoticizing' indigenous cultures in the context of climate change?

Exoticizing indigenous cultures involves romanticizing their way of life and knowledge, but it can also marginalize them by treating their practices as something to be consumed or replicated by others. This can lead to further erosion of their cultural autonomy and rights.

What challenge do indigenous communities face in balancing cultural preservation with modern environmental needs?

Indigenous communities, such as the Sámi, face the challenge of balancing the preservation of their traditional lifestyles with the need for modern environmental action. While they hold deep environmental knowledge, their practices are often overshadowed by state policies that prioritize industrial and renewable energy projects that disregard indigenous land rights.