This thesis examines the impact of climate change on Sámi youth wellbeing and cultural continuity in Kautokeino, Norway. Interviews were conducted with Sámi adolescents, community members, and leaders. The results suggest that climate change is negatively impacting traditional Sámi culture and reindeer herding. It is causing difficulties for teaching traditional knowledge to younger generations and changing seasonal patterns that Sámi culture depends on. Climate change is also increasing stress levels and risks to mental health among Sámi youth. Adaptation strategies are needed to address these challenges and ensure the intergenerational transmission of Sámi culture and language.

1. ADAPTING TO DISASTER; THE EFFECT OF
CLIMATE CHANGE ON SÁMI YOUTH
WELLBEING AND CULTURAL CONTINUITY
IN KAUTOKEINO, NORWAY
MSC THESIS IN GLOBAL HEALTH
EMILIE KOWALCZEWSKI
MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY 2016
In collaboration with McMaster University, the Høgskolen i Sørøst-Norge and the Sámi allaskuvla/Diehtosiida

2. 1
Table of Contents
1.0 ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. 3
2.0 BACKGROUND....................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 History ......................................................................................................................................................4
2.1.1 The Sámi ..................................................................................................................................................4
2.1.2 Assimilation of the Sámi via religion........................................................................................................6
2.1.3 Assimilation of the Sámi via policy ..........................................................................................................8
2.2 Identity ................................................................................................................................................... 10
2.2.1 Ethnic status in Norway .........................................................................................................................10
2.2.2 Identification in Norway ........................................................................................................................12
2.3 Culture ....................................................................................................................................................13
2.3.1 Social culture .........................................................................................................................................13
2.3.2 Sámi women ..........................................................................................................................................14
2.3.3 Traditional knowledge revitalized and lost.........................................................................................15
2.3.4 Reindeer herding ...................................................................................................................................17
2.3.5 Duodji (Handicrafts)...............................................................................................................................19
2.4 Government............................................................................................................................................ 20
2.4.1 Norwegian stance on Sámi indigeneity .................................................................................................20
2.4.2 Self determination and the Sámi parliament (Sámediggi).....................................................................21
2.5 Health ..................................................................................................................................................... 23
2.5.1 Historical Trauma...................................................................................................................................23
2.5.2 Known health trends and problems in Norwegian Sámi .......................................................................25
2.6 Climate change in the Arctic....................................................................................................................26
2.6.1 Known effects on Sámi ..........................................................................................................................28
2.7 Theoretical framework............................................................................................................................29
3.0 AIM AND HYPOTHESIS......................................................................................................... 32
3.1 Alternative hypothesis ...............................................................................................................................33
4.0 METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................. 33
5.0 RESULTS.............................................................................................................................. 34
5.1 Impacts of climate change on cultural continuity ....................................................................................34
5.1.1 ............34
5.1.2 ...........................................38
5.1.3 ..........................................................41
5.2 Impacts of climate change on health and wellbeing................................................................................ 43
5.2.1 .................................................................................43
5.2.2 strategies...............................................................................................45
5.2.3 ..........................................47

3. 2
6.0 DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................................ 50
6.1 Impacts of climate change and modernization on Sámi culture............................................................... 50
6.2 Impacts of climate change and modernization on Sámi health................................................................ 52
7.0 LIMITATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................ 54
7.1 Study limitations....................................................................................................................................54
7.2 Recommendations.................................................................................................................................56
8.0 CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................... 57
9.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................................................... 59
10.0 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 60
11.0 APPENDIX............................................................................................................................ 64
11.1 Trend analysis via Likert-like scale........................................................................................................... 64
11.2 Interview transcripts ............................................................................................................................... 65
11.2.1 Reindeer herding teens ..........................................................................................................................65
11.2.2 Non-reindeer herding teens...................................................................................................................69
11.2.2.1 Group A.........................................................................................................................................69
11.2.2.2 Group B.........................................................................................................................................72
11.2.3 Duodji makers........................................................................................................................................76
11.2.3.1 Individual 1....................................................................................................................................76
11.2.3.2 Individual 2....................................................................................................................................79
11.2.3.3 Individual 3....................................................................................................................................82
11.2.4 Researcher and professors at the Diehtosiida .......................................................................................88
11.2.4.1 Researcher ....................................................................................................................................88
11.2.4.2 Professor 1 ....................................................................................................................................97
11.2.4.3 Professor 2 (notes only)..............................................................................................................100
11.2.5 Mental health professionals ................................................................................................................100
11.2.5.1 Psychologist 1 .............................................................................................................................100
11.2.5.2 Psychologist 2 .............................................................................................................................111
11.2.6 Other professions.................................................................................................................................118
11.2.6.1 Faith leader .................................................................................................................................118
11.2.6.2 Administrator/ex-reindeer..........................................................................................................121

4. 3
1.0 Abstract
This study was performed to determine the potential impact of climate change on Sámi youth
wellbeing and cultural continuity. This was done by interviewing Sámi adolescents (some of which
engaged in reindeer herding) as well as other community members and leaders in Kautokeino, Norway
with semi-structured interview and focus group questions.
This study indicated that climate change, as well as modernization/Norwegianization (the passive
and aggressive political and social processes which attempt to render the Sámi more like the Norwegian
majority, including the past and present assimilation and acculturation processes) via globalization, is
impacting Sámi health, wellbeing, and cultural continuity. In previous studies as well as in this study,
climate change was reported to mostly impact physical health via increased unstable travel conditions
on the tundra as well as psychological health tied to fear over the future impacts of climate change on
the Arctic as well as the potential inability to continue important cultural practices like reindeer herding.
Modernization impacted the community in several ways, notably by increasing the generational gap,
as potentially increasing conflict between Sámi groups which may have lasting political implications.
Recommendations include programs for improved health seeking behaviours, greater acceptance
of Sámi traditional medicine and knowledge, improved youth and elder interactions, and increased
governmental support for Sámi cultural events and traditional knowledge. It is also strongly
recommended that Norway performs an investigation on the impacts of historical trauma and
assimilation on the Sámi with a focus on the impacts on their health.