Talk Story : “The Samí: The Land of the Green Gold” with Emmie Shukla

The Story:

Learn a general background about The Samí people, who are located in northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and parts of Russia. Discover the history of The Samí struggles that they have faced and overcome, such as forced assimilation and attempted cultural genocide. Obtain an overview of several issues that The Samí community is facing currently that revolve around climate change, unsustainable forestry and mining practices, tourism, and cultural identity crises.

About Emmie Shukla:

Emmie Shukla is passionate about impacting change through conservation and research. She especially focuses on environmental and cultural issues and how they affect conflict. Four years ago, she started a non-profit called The Kind Learning Organization to provide aid to the community education systems in Vanuatu.

Emmie and Eero Orbas, a member of the Finnish Sámi community, have been working together on a project that documents the changing traditions of The Sámi community. Eero contacted individuals, elders, and families in many arctic countries in order to interview them about their experiences dealing with this change. After compiling all of the interviews and photographs, Eero hopes to bring awareness to the issues that are affecting his community and the future of their way of life.

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