Saami Council Introducing: A cinematic essay by three voices on Birgejupmi
As European policymakers search for solutions to build a sustainable, circular economy, a foundational Sámi concept offers a deeper, more holistic path forward. A new cinematic essay produced by the Saami Council brings the lived reality of Birgejupmi to the global stage.
While Western frameworks often view the circular economy through the lens of resource efficiency, waste reduction, and technological innovation, the concept of Birgejupmi (Northern Sámi) encompasses an entire worldview. Translated as "to manage for oneself," "to survive," or "to master," Birgejupmi is rooted in an eternal timescale—one defined by reciprocity, self-sufficiency, social connection, and deep respect for nature’s capacity to renew itself.
The background for the film - A cinematic essay by three voices on Birgejupmi - stems from work conducted through ReCap ASáp (Regaining capacity in a changing Sápmi), an Interreg Aurora-funded project aimed at strengthening the Sámi knowledge base and promoting self-determination in decision-making processes.
As part of the project, knowledge hubs were convened with Sámi knowledge holders to explore how Birgejupmi is lived within three vital traditional livelihoods: coastal fishing, reindeer herding, and duodji (Sámi crafts).
While the hubs identified shared goals between Birgejupmi and European circular economy models, they also highlighted critical friction points. Top-down bureaucracy, rigid economic structures, and national regulations designed for industrial models can often work against traditional practices. Where standard market approaches push for speed and mass output, Birgejupmi prioritizes small-scale, local resilience and generational knowledge transfer—It is about knowing how to live and manage well within the relationships that sustain life—taking what is needed while ensuring that land, waters and living resources can continue to provide for those who come after us.
Three Voices, Three Livelihoods
The film grounds these complex policy questions in the daily lives of three Sámi knowledge holders who participated in the project's discussions:
Anna Maria Fjellström (Researcher and Reindeer Herder, Árjepluovve/Arjeplog) describes how Bierkenidh (Birgejupmi in Southern Sámi) is essential for navigating an ever-changing climate. Reindeer herding operates as an integrated socio-ecological system built on Indigenous Peoples' knowledge, seasonal migration, and the principle of utilizing every part of the animal for food, clothing, and tools.
Elsa Labba Idivuoma (Duojár, Ađevuopmi/Idivuoma) explains how birgejupmi takes form through duodji—knowing how to make, mend and make use of what is available. It is knowledge learned by doing and carried between generations, grounded in the land, its materials, and the responsibility to use them in ways that allow life and culture to continue.
Inge Arne Eriksen (Fisher and Leader of Bivdu, Skeavvonjárga/Sjånes) shares how coastal Sámi fishing practices embody resilience. By combining fishing with foraging and farming, moving between species according to natural seasonal rhythms, and respecting local ecosystems, coastal communities maintain balance in the face of environmental shifts.
Watch the Film
The full cinematic essay (16 min), as well as the three individual chapters (5-6 min), can be viewed on Saami Council’s Youtube Channel.
Shaping Future EU Policy
Beside the cinematic essays, this autumn The Saami Council will release a dedicated report offering policy recommendations on how European circular economy frameworks can better integrate Sámi values, support small-scale livelihoods, and protect traditional land-based knowledge.