Many people are not aware that Sweden have a legally recognized indigenous minority. Even in Sweden, that knowledge is not as widespread as one would hope or think.

Being a legally considered indigenous minority entails some particular protections both by and from the state. However, regarding the management of culturally, religiously and historically significant Sami land, the protections from and by the state has changed into favoring money. The mining project of Gállok in northern Sweden is an iron mine which are apparently more important than the protection of the Swedish citizens’ rights. Within the nation-state of Sweden, as in all states, citizenship provides protections, opportunities and a variety of rights which should be equally allocated amongst the whole population. However, in actuality this distribution is not equal!

Multiple times have the Sámi rights been put aside for the sake of natural resources which the state wants. By disadvantaging the Sámi in the discussion on their rights versus the money that favor the state that comes with the mining company, the state is discriminating the Sámi. Should the state not be held accountable to follow the Discrimination Act?

The construction and mapping of the Swedish border meant that the state gained power to manage lands within state territory. This effectively meant that the Sámi who have historically lived within these areas, the land area that they call Sápmi, were successively being excluded from managing their lands. 

Restriction from cultivating and managing their land affect the Sámi populations in several ways. Within Sámi tradition the land is a significant part of both religious and cultural practice. Researcher Lea Kirsten Matthaei with a PhD in theology, has stated in her research on the Sámi spirituality, that the Sámi practice is following a sort of eco-theology, where the everyday living and management of land is deeply intertwined with their spirituality. Reindeer herding and fishing are among the practices that are culturally important to them. But also, how the lands are managed are thoroughly important as the Sámi tradition believe in the practice of do not take more than you need. A practice that the mining companies are unfamiliar with.

This restriction infringes upon the Sámi peoples’ rights as Swedish citizens. This means that the Swedish state effectively limits the Sámi ability to practice their religion and traditions. Meaning, the Swedish state has in their decision to support this mining project clashed with the Sámi right to religious freedom and their right to cultivate and thrive in the culture. 

Should not all members of nation-states enjoy the same rights? Should not all Swedish citizens enjoy the same rights to the same extent? The handling of the mining project shows the exclusion from full rights as Swedish citizens by the neglect of the Sámi religious, cultural and historical ties to their land! As the Sámi are legally considered an indigenous minority, they have a right to practice their traditions and thrive with protection from the state and by the state! A threat to the rights of one is a threat to all.

We need the Swedish state to realize that they have effectively made Sweden hostile to their own people and their rights. The state has shown that Sweden is not for all. Therefore, we demand that the Swedish state immediately stop the mining project and give their people their rights!