The research task was divided in two main parts. The aim of Part I was to examine how the relationship between politics and Sami research has transformed over different periods from the 1970s until the early 2000s, in tandem with broader societal and political changes, and alongside with the development of Sami institutions and self-government. This part’s focus was especially on the research questions 1 and 4. Part II focused on the present era, through empirical case studies which examine the politics of Sámi research and its impact on public debate and state policies, focusing on conflicts which center on Sami identity and collective self-determination, Sámi land rights, and extractive resource development in Northern Finland.
The research shows how, since the early 2000s and especially during the 2010s, Sámi research has become a central arena where a number of conflicts over Sámi identity, voice, political representation and self-determination are actively fought over. In addition, it shows how especially research which has sought to problematize Sámi identity and raise questions about “who is Sámi” in the center of political and public discussion, has proved strikingly efficient in affecting political decision-making and actual state policies in Finland. Instead of promoting sustainability, selective reliance on such has, however, promoted ultimately unsustainable policies as the UN Human Rights Committee’s decisions in regard to the Tiina Sanila-Aikio vs. Finland case demonstrate. As such, INREPOSA problematizes the idea that academic knowledge could be used as a value-free, neutral basis for sustainable policy making, devoid of political baggage. Instead, it points towards the continued need to bring attention to, and create awareness, of the political and social contexts of knowledge production, also in the context of research which identifies itself as Indigenous Sámi research that is dedicated to Sámi decolonization and self-determination. In terms of the discipline of Sámi research, the case problematizes the continued viability of defining Sámi research ethico-politically, as “research which proceeds from a Sámi perspective, or takes it to account”.
INREPOSA’s main publication results include one co-authored book chapter, three single-authored book chapters and one single-authored journal article. In addition, the research has been disseminated through participation in 10 international conferences, two keynote lectures and various other presentations in academic seminars and workshops.
