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Reindeer politics – why some Sámi struggle for recognition

The Sámi are the Indigenous people of Sápmi, a region spanning the northern reaches of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. For millennia, they were nomadic, herding reindeer, fishing and speaking distinct languages, until, over the course of the past few centuries, state-sanctioned assimilation policies eroded much of their way of life. In Sweden, access to key Sámi rights is tied to membership of reindeer-herding communities known as ‘sameby’, even though fewer than 10 per cent of Sámi practise reindeer husbandry today, reflecting the effects of urbanisation and assimilation.

I Am Sami follows Niklas Sarri, a Sámi artisan from northern Sweden who does not own reindeer and whose application for sameby membership was rejected. Sarri expresses his frustration that Sámi identity is often questioned if a person is not involved in reindeer husbandry, and that this in turn strengthens stereotypes held about Sámi people. The short documentary also spotlights other Sámi voices, each offering a distinct perspective on what it means to be Sámi today. Through this framework, the film raises broader questions about how law and perception shape cultural identity.

Directors: Alana Repstock, Jamyeong Gu, David Rada

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