Rap artist Áilu Valle, in collaboration with SápmiDem research project and University of Lapland, are releasing the song “Lohpi” (freely translated “consent” in Northern Sámi) on June 19, 2026, which highlights the importance of seeking consent in land use in Sápmi and the realisation of Indigenous peoples’ rights. It is not tolerable that the Sámi are not heard or that their opinions are ignored when, for example, new mines or wind farms are being planned or tourism is being promoted in their homeland. That is why we demand to #SeekConsent (#BivddeLobi).
The Sámi can expect consent to be sought in many different situations, and we also hope that as many non-Sámi people as possible will show up to support this right. We are therefore asking participants to join a social media campaign where you can share your own examples of situations where consent should be sought. You can participate in the campaign from either perspective (example videos included with the instructions):
1. I am a Sámi
Share with us in which situations you would like Sámi people to give consent regarding matters affecting their rights, such as “Seek consent when you wear Sámi clothing or accessories”. You can find more examples at the end of these instructions. Write your request on a piece of paper, hide the text behind another piece of paper after the “Seek consent” line, and film the reveal in a short video. Alternatively, you can just take a photo of the entire text. The video can be made in any Sámi language, Finnish or English.
You can find an example video and more detailed instructions for different social medias below. If you’d like to see an example of a video filmed with your own face showing, check the video in section 2 on the right.
Instagram
We recommend creating the video as an Instagram Reel.
Open this Reels video that contains the audio you want. Tap the audio’s name at the bottom of the video. Select “Use Audio”. Record or upload your own video. Post the Reel.
For clarity, we recommend including the full text from your paper in the post’s caption as well.
Please always use the campaign’s hashtag #BivddeLobi in your post, as well as #SeekConsent and #PyydäLupa, if you wish.
If possible, please also tag @ailuvalle, @sapmidem and @universityoflapland in your post.
TikTok
Open this TikTok video that contains the sound you want. Tap the sound’s name at the bottom of the video. Select “Use this sound”. Record or upload your own video. Post the TikTok video.
For clarity, it’s recommended to include the full text from your paper in the post’s caption as well.
Please always use the campaign’s hashtag #BivddeLobi in your post, as well as #SeekConsent and #PyydäLupa, if you wish.
If possible, please also tag @ulapland in your post.
Facebook
You can post this either as a Facebook Reel or as a regular post on your own timeline.
Film your video so that the music from this post plays in the background. Include text “Music: Áilu Valle – Lohpi” in the caption.
For clarity, it’s recommended to include the full text from your paper in the post’s caption as well.
Please always use the campaign’s hashtag #BivddeLobi in your post, as well as #SeekConsent and #PyydäLupa, if you wish.
If possible, please also tag @Ailu Valle, @SápmiDem and @University of Lapland in your post.
LinkedIn
You can personalize the post based on your own profession, for example, “Seek consent if you’re marketing Sápmi” or “Seek consent if your work affects Sámi livelihoods.”
Film your video with the music from this post playing in the background. Include text “Music: Áilu Valle – Lohpi” in the caption.
For clarity, it’s recommended to include the full text from your paper in the post’s caption as well.
Please always use the campaign’s hashtag #BivddeLobi in your post, as well as #SeekConsent and #PyydäLupa, if you wish.
If possible, please tag @SápmiDem and @University of Lapland in your post.
We also encourage you to challenge three of your contacts to join the challenge by tagging them in the comment section and linking this webpage!
2. I am a non-Sámi, and wish to support the matter
Share with us in which situations you commit to seek Sámi people’s consent regarding matters affecting their rights, such as “I seek consent if I wear Sámi clothing or accessories”. You can find more examples on the second page of the instructions. Write your request on a piece of paper, hide the text behind another piece of paper after the “Seek consent” line, and film the reveal in a short video. Alternatively, you can just take a photo of the entire text. The video can be made in any Sámi language, Finnish or English.
You can find an example video and more detailed instructions for different social medias below. If you’d like to see an example of a video filmed without your own face showing, check the video in section 1 on the left.
Instagram
We recommend creating the video as an Instagram Reel.
Open this Reels video that contains the audio you want. Tap the audio’s name at the bottom of the video. Select “Use Audio”. Record or upload your own video. Post the Reel.
For clarity, we recommend including the full text from your paper in the post’s caption as well.
Please always use the campaign’s hashtag #BivddeLobi in your post, as well as #SeekConsent and #PyydäLupa, if you wish.
If possible, please also tag @ailuvalle, @sapmidem and @universityoflapland in your post.
TikTok
Open this TikTok video that contains the sound you want. Tap the sound’s name at the bottom of the video. Select “Use this sound”. Record or upload your own video. Post the TikTok video.
For clarity, it’s recommended to include the full text from your paper in the post’s caption as well.
Please always use the campaign’s hashtag #BivddeLobi in your post, as well as #SeekConsent and #PyydäLupa, if you wish.
If possible, please also tag @ulapland in your post.
Facebook
You can post this either as a Facebook Reel or as a regular post on your own timeline.
Film your video so that the music from this post plays in the background. Include text “Music: Áilu Valle – Lohpi” in the caption.
For clarity, it’s recommended to include the full text from your paper in the post’s caption as well.
Please always use the campaign’s hashtag #BivddeLobi in your post, as well as #SeekConsent and #PyydäLupa, if you wish.
If possible, please also tag @Ailu Valle, @SápmiDem and @University of Lapland in your post.
LinkedIn
You can personalize the post based on your own profession, for example, “I seek consent if I’m marketing Sápmi” or “I seek consent if my work affects Sámi livelihoods”.
Film your video with the music from this post playing in the background. Include text “Music: Áilu Valle – Lohpi” in the caption.
For clarity, it’s recommended to include the full text from your paper in the post’s caption as well.
Please always use the campaign’s hashtag #BivddeLobi in your post, as well as #SeekConsent and #PyydäLupa, if you wish.
If possible, please tag @SápmiDem and @University of Lapland in your post.
We also encourage you to challenge three of your contacts to join the challenge by tagging them in the comment section and linking this webpage!
Examples of seeking consent
You may rewrite based on these examples or come up with your own.
1. [Seek consent…] 2. [I seek consent…]
In which situations?
If you use Sámi culture as a source of inspiration, for example in arts.
If you build in Sápmi (other than on private land).
If your actions affect Sámi reindeer herding, fishing or other traditional livelihoods.
If you visit Sámi sacred sites, such as seita stones.
If a non-Sámi person is asked to give their opinion on a matter concerning the Sámi.
If you wear Sámi clothing or accessories.
Even when you’re not sure whether you need to seek consent.
How?
From the Sámi themselves on matters that concern them.
When there is still an opportunity to influence the plans. / Well in advance.
So that the goal is to obtain genuine consent on the matter.
Knowing that the Sámi also have the right to say “no”.
In a way that ensures the response comes from the Sámi’s own free will.
By providing information and assistance to support decision-making.
In a manner that respects Sámi culture. If you don’t know, ask.
