Friends of Sámi heritage, can you help an American student with her project?

Kjirsten Winters is a Norwegian-American graduate student in occupational therapy at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. She is seeking help with a project exploring the racism and marginalization the Sámi have suffered under colonialism in Scandinavia. As this prejudice is often difficult for Americans to see, much less understand, it has much to teach us about how we perceive race.

As the result of her research, Kjirsten is creating a handmade book that includes photos, illustrations, and narrative. The book will not be published, but Kjirsten is willing to make color copies for interested contributors.

Her timeline is short, with submissions due by Friday, December 7th.

If you are able to help, please email Kjirsten a photo of yourself (images are important to this effort, as they defy many preconceptions about race) and answer the following questions:

1. What kinds of discrimination are the Sámi people facing in your region?

2. Have you personally experienced anti-Sámi prejudice?

3. What would you like Sámi-Americans to understand about discrimination?

Please include anything else you would like to share, and don’t hesitate to contact Kjirsten if you have questions.

If you are willing to have your submission posted here on this site, please also email a copy to me.

Increasing understanding is the path to a better world.

Ollu giitu!

—Julie