KulturSápmi declaration Jåhkåmåhkke, Dálvvadis 2024: Do we tolerate critique?
– Art, critique, and societal debate
“Åvddåjbuktet ietjat dádjadimev mijá ietját ävtto milta”
“We present our own interpretations on our own terms”
Sámi culture is tied to the lands we inhabit. Sámi culture and way of life cannot be separated. Sámi art deepens our connection to our values, traditions, and cultural knowledge. We know this. We are happy that national, Nordic, and foreign arrangements and festivals have recognized Sámi creative arts and have invited films, performance art, literature, music, visual art, and other creative arts. Still, we seek better opportunities to be a part of shaping and deciding the content. Sámi art needs arenas where it can be discussed. We do not want Sámi art restricted to protest and activism, as it represents a far richer and more diverse picture of Sámi society than just our relationship to the majority societies.
Challenges
There is a lack of internal societal debate within Sápmi, which also means that art critique is lacking. Our critique is often only directed against the majority society, and our internal matters remain undiscussed.
We need to promote constructive criticism on our own terms. We seek more oral and written reviews from a Sámi perspective. This concerns both formal and informal meeting points.
National institutions and the majority societies should recognize and abide by their responsibility to invite Sámi art based on the principles of Sámi self-determination, as Sápmi needs strong cooperation partners worldwide.
We believe that international arenas should be established where Sámi and other Indigenous Peoples’ artists and critics can meet to promote both their art and critiques.
Main points
KulturSápmi 2024 hosted many workshops about different art forms and their reviews. Here, we mention some of the main points discussed at the conference and which challenges cultural workers consider most important at the moment. In addition, we mention challenges and recommendations relevant to promoting various art forms.
We, the Sámi, are best able to promote a critique of Sámi art based on Sámi values and considering our culture and society. Sámi artists want and seek Sámi critique of their artistic output and ask for bold, just, and constructive criticism.
Sápmi and Sámi have a close tie to duodji and art, as every community has individuals who are artists and craftsmen. This is one of the reasons why Sámi art critique is lacking: there is not always a clear distinction between the critic and the artist. Therefore, there is a need to find and promote dialogue and review methods that consider this unique Sámi situation.
Sámi traditional handicrafts, storytelling, and yoik have a different background from contemporary art. Thus, Sámi cultural life faces challenges in establishing and promoting critique methods that take into account the unique aesthetics of Sámi arts.
In promoting critique, one must consider the differences and uniqueness of the various Sámi languages and cultures.
General recommendations
Critique of Sámi arts needs border-crossing arenas where it can be practiced, and critics need to be trained. Sámi institutions, organizations, and media are welcome to contribute because diverse discussions need diverse voices.
Promote art criticism based on Sámi internal cultural understanding and competence.
Strengthen our nation’s collective self-confidence and resilience to receive critiques given in good faith.
Promote support measures and strengthen our institutions to aid all Sámi cultural workers.
Writers: Petra Laiti, Anne Wuolab, and Harald Gaski. Izabel Nordlund has been part of this process as a trainee. Translated to English by Lásse Valkeapää.