We need a Sami Parliament that takes responsibility in troubled times

At a time when security policy is moving ever closer to our everyday lives, the Sami Parliament cannot continue to stand on the sidelines. The Northern Calotte people believe it is time for the Sami Parliament to take responsibility, show a willingness to solution and actively contribute to ensuring security, emergency preparedness and living communities in the north.

The world has changed. The security we took for granted can no longer be taken for granted. The war in Ukraine, unstable alliances and sharpened geopolitical competition reminds us that we in Norway must also prepare for more troubled times.

In this reality, the Sami Parliament cannot sit on the sidelines. The Northern Calotte people believe that the Sami Parliament must take a far more active role in the work on total defense and preparedness. It’s not just about defense ability – it’s so much about living society, trust and security for everyone living in the north.

Light in all houses – our most important defense

The best defense in the north is living communities. When there is light in the houses in the villages, there is also emergency preparedness in everyday life. When there are people in the fjords, inland and along the border, it is knowledge, presence and community that strengthens both safety and Sami social life.

Today, we see that many Sami communities are characterized by relocation and grubbing. Yes, there are available jobs- but a varied work and business community that makes young people want to come back and stay too weak. If we are to strengthen emergency preparedness, we must strengthen everyday life.

Here the Sami Parliament must take responsibility. Sami language and culture do not live in party speeches, but in living communities. Then we need jobs for him, she and her – and leisure services for both young, old and those in between.

Security requires more than no

Unfortunately, the Sami Parliament has for many years met new development with an automatic no. No to new infrastructure. No to coexistence between traditional and new industries. No to measures that could strengthen both emergency preparedness and settlement.

At Agenda Northern Norway in 2023, we were able to hear the Sami Council say that the reindeer husbandry industry cannot coexist with new industry-it was said it was completely impossible! But what kind of future does it give? We must be willing to dialogue and solutions, not close doors until they open.

If we say no to all development, we also say no to take responsibility for our own security. Then we leave the arena to others.

The Sami Parliament must take responsibility

The Northern Calotte people believe the Sami Parliament must go into the new security policy reality with openness and willingness to contribute. We must sit at the tables where total preparedness and defense plans are laid. We must contribute our knowledge of people, nature and society in the north.

But we also have to meet this work on a willingness to solution, not as a counterpart that only defends special interests. We must show that Sami democracy takes responsibility – not only for all its diverse people, but also when the country needs it.

Sami security is not isolated from national security. There is no contradiction between safeguarding Sami rights and actively contributing to the community’s defense and preparedness. On the contrary: Sami language, culture and knowledge can be a resource for the total defense. But then we have to join.

A road choice in the choice

The Sami election 2025 will also be a road choice in security policy. Will the Sami Parliament continue as no-actor, on the outside of the important processes? Or will we choose politicians who want to take responsibility for our common security and development?

The Northern Calotte people choose the latter. We want the Sami Parliament as an active partner in defense and emergency preparedness. For we know: Sami language and culture live best in living society. And living society in the north is our strongest protection in an uncertain time.

We will therefore fight for light in all the houses – and between all the houses. For security, community, equality and a Sami society that helps to build the north of the future.

Vibeke Larsen, leader

and presidential candidate

For the Northern Calotte people

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