Indigenous researchers from several countries gathered in Östersund

The event was organised by the section for Law and BÅSKÅES, the Network for Research on and with the South Sami Society at Gaskeuniversiteete. The symposium was a part of Mid Sweden University's 20th anniversary and contributed to strengthening the university's role as a node for Sami research.

Sámi research is on the rise, both in Sweden and internationally. There is currently both more research and Sami studies going on with a greater breadth, than many people may think or expect. The interest extends far beyond Sápmi and young researchers contribute with new perspectives and research questions that broaden knowledge. 

At the same time, research on indigenous peoples is an area where researchers often work alone and quite isolated from colleagues with a similar focus. Against this background, the symposium was an important meeting place for building networks, finding joint projects and discussing strategies for financing. In the program there was plenty of room for networking and conversations between the participants.

Knowledge and contacts to bring back to everyday life

One of those who made new contacts during the symposium was Gilbert Akame from Cameroon, who works at The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø and focuses his research of the rights of indigenous children. 

– During these days, it has become more clear that indigenous research is a growing field. It has been valuable to meet the other researchers, exchange experiences and create contacts that I can bring back into my own everyday life as a researcher, says Gilbert. 

Bringing together researchers from different places and countries creates opportunities for collaboration and strengthens indigenous research as a whole. 

– It is also important that this type of meeting takes place in Sápmi, where the research can be directly related to the Sámi community, says Ekaterina Zmyvalova, postdoc in law at Mid Sweden University and one of the organizers.

Meetings with the local Sámi civil society

As part of the symposium's program, the participants got to meet representatives of the Sami civil society in Östersund. They visited, among other places, the Sami museum Gaaltije. During the visit to Gaaltije, the participants learned about ongoing collaborations between researchers, teachers and Sami civil society organizations in Östersund. The visit gave the researchers the opportunity to reflect on the role of academic research and how the relationship between research and Sámi civil society and organizations can be further developed.

First visit in Östersund

For many of the researchers who participated in the symposium, it was the first time they visited Mid Sweden University and Östersund. Karolina Sikora from Poland was one of the participants at the symposium. She is a postdoctoral researcher in forensic anthropology at Lund University and is currently conducting her research from Jokkmokk. When Karolina received the invitation to the symposium, she did not know much about Mid Sweden University.

– This is the first time I've been to Östersund and Mid Sweden University. I appreciated hearing how the research here is conducted and how close the university is to the Sami local community. It makes it easier to conduct field studies and the research becomes more meaningful, says Karolina.

Many applicants for the symposium

There was great interest in meeting and more applications came in than could be accepted. The target group for the symposium was doctoral students and researchers who had recently completed their doctorates, but master's students and postdocs in the field were also welcome to apply. 

"It's great fun and shows that there is a great need for forums where these issues can be discussed in depth," says Ekaterina Zmyvalova.

Part of a broader investment in the Sámi area

Gaskeuniversiteete is the only university located in the southern Sami area in Sweden and the university is strongly committed to Sami research and teaching. The symposium is part of a broader effort to strengthen research and education in the Sámi area, and the seminar is planned to be a recurring event that will be integrated into an upcoming course on the rights of indigenous peoples.

Do you want to know more about the symposium or make a request for an interview?  

For more information and interview requests, contact Ekaterina Zmyvalova, who is a postdoc in law at Mid Sweden University and one of the organizers. Send an email to ekaterina.zmyvalova@miun.se by clicking here. 

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