What's right: Norway apologizes to Sami people

Norway's parliament issued its first official apology to the Indigenous Sami people for decades of forced assimilation policies. From the 1950s to the 1980s, Sami culture was suppressed, their language banned, and their lands targeted for resource exploitation.

The apology follows a reconciliation commission’s report, based on interviews with 700 Sami individuals. Lawmakers also approved measures to protect Sami rights, including language preservation, cultural safeguards, and stricter controls over land use. These actions aim to address historical injustices while restricting resource exploitation on Sami territories.

Sami reindeer herders recently won a court case halting a wind park project on their land, reflecting growing support for Indigenous land rights. However, critics, including Norway’s right-wing Progress Party, argue that such measures could hinder economic growth.

While the Sami welcomed the apology, they remain cautious, focusing on its implementation. This historic step puts Norway at the forefront of global Indigenous reconciliation efforts.

Photo: JensandMarian via Wikicommons