The effects of colonialism on Sami Aboriginal peoples in Russia, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Russia
Russia has the worst record for Sami human rights violations. Clearcutting is currently destroying what is left of traditional lands. The few Sami who have been able to return to a traditional lifestyle are plagued by poachers whose predations on their reindeer herds are devastating. The Russian Sami have also been the most afflicted by mining activity, and most are now stuck on reservations created by the communist government, called Kolchoz'es.
Norway
Norway is the only one of the four nations who follows the UN declaration of indigenous people, and the human rights declaration, with regard to the Sami peoples of Scandinavia. The government recognizes the Sami both as an ethnic minority and a separate people. In Norway the Sami language is taught in the schools, and used by the authorities when in contact with Sami people, in dialogue and in government documents.
Sweden
Sweden has not signed the UN declaration for the indigenous peoples rights. They continue to desecrate Sami land with activity at the ESRANGE space centre, and with extensive mining, toxic waste disposal plans and forest industry clearfelling. They have banned all native hunting and fishing rights.
Finland
Finland has completely denied any aboriginal rights or land rights to the Sami people. Reindeer herds have been stolen by non-indigenous peoples and the Finnish Sami have been left dispossessed, without any kind of livelihood or even subsistence living available to them.
