The Sami Parliament
The Background of the Sami Parliament
As an indigenous people, the Sami have a different standing than other ethnic minorities in Sweden. The Sami are not immigrants, having lived in their settled areas long before the borders were drawn for today’s nations. In 1977, the Swedish Riksdag recognized the Sami as an indigenous people in Sweden.
The Organization and Work
The Sami Parliament is both a publically-elected parliament and a State agency. The tasks of the Parliament are regulated by the Swedish Sami Parliament Act. It is at the main office officials carry out the daily tasks of the agency and there is a political level with publically-elected politicians.
The question of Self-determination
The Sami parliament works for increased self-determination. The Sami want to be decisive in questions that concern them as Sami. Sami self-determination is not about forming a new state.