Rauna Kuokkanen and Iiris Tuominen from the SápmiDem project organised a workshop in collaboration with Suoma Sámiid Guovddassearvvi (the Finnish Sámi Central Organisation, SSG) in Gáregasnjárga on May 9 and 10. The workshop was held in connection with the SSG meeting. During the two days, SápmiDem researchers concretised Sámi participation through the principle of FPIC, or free, prior and informed consent.
On Friday evening, Rauna and Iiris presented the project, the FPIC principle, and its relationship to decision-making and participation. After the presentations, there was time for discussion and a small assignment in which participants were asked to reflect on and write concrete examples of where FPIC should be implemented. Based on these examples, in Saturday’s workshop, participants divided into small groups to discuss what Sámi participation and the implementation of FPIC should include or look like.
These topics sparked a lot of discussion and insightful notes on the current state of participation and consent. Some of the notions that were raised during the discussion included
- The importance of steady funding to enhance capacities in Sámi civil society
- Deliberative discussions should take place in everyday life, at work, etc., not only in workshops
- Participation and consent are distinct. First, the Sámi need to discuss internally whether to participate and how. Second, the actual participation and dialogue with external parties takes place. Third, the decision is given on whether or not to consent.
- Decision-making that affects Sámi needs to be a deliberative process. Existing procedures only generate plain “yes” or “no” outcomes without appropriate dialogue
The SápmiDem project is grateful to everyone who came to join us during the weekend and shared their thoughts with us!
See also the article in Yle Sápmi on the workshop: https://yle.fi/a/74-20161168
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