- "Sami is a language that is disappearing, and it's important to preserve it. It's part of history and us here in the north," says Sajane Olsen (16) from Manndalen. She hopes that her generation will preserve the language and pass it on.
Published: 30 March 2017
Text: Sara Aarøen Lien
What is it like for you to be a Sami youth?
- Sami is part of my identity today. It's much more accepted to be Sami now than it used to be, and lately it's seemed really cool to be a Sami youth. I've never thought there could be anything negative about it, because I grew up with Sami.
Sajane Olsen attended Sami kindergarten and has had it as her first language at school for almost ten years. In addition to this, she gets some opportunities to use the language in her spare time, not least at the Sami cultural festival Riddu Riđđu, where she meets other Sami young people.
What are the benefits of being Sami and what opportunities have you had because of your Sami background?
- Knowing the language will be an advantage in the future, at least here in the north. It's something that's in demand, and I've already had a few job offers because I know Sami. I've worked at Riddu Riđđu Festivàla as a presenter, and right now I'm working on Beaivvi čivggat.
Beaivvi čivggat is a Sami language arena for children aged 5 to 10. Once a week, Sajane and two other counsellors meet the children for activities and fun. The conversations are only in Sami. This helps to automatise the language, and Sajane thinks it's a good thing to do outside school.
How do you feel about knowing a language that so few others do?
- "It's kind of fun to be able to use Sami with other people, and sort of have our own language that only we understand. It's a bit special because so few people know it. In the grand scheme of things, there aren't that many people I can actually speak to in Sami, so it can be a bit sad, but for the most part it's a nice thing.
The Sami language was associated with something negative for years, and it wasn't so long ago that people began to be proud of their Sami identity. How does it feel to be able to play a role in reclaiming Sami and making it attractive to be Sami?
- "This generation has been given a very important task in preserving Sami culture and the Sami language. It's a lot of work and an important responsibility. But it's still fun and offers many opportunities, and this gives me the desire and motivation to continue with the Sami.
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