Mining Sapmi: Colonial Histories, Sami Archaeology, and the Exploitation of Natural Resources in Northern Sweden

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a large-scale boom in mining in the present-day Swedish part of Sapmi, leading to protests from Sami activists as well as environmentalist groups. To the protesters, issues of Swedish colonialism and Sami indigeneity are central, and history becomes important. Taking its starting point in the mining conflicts, this article discusses Sami archaeology and claims for Sami indigenous land and cultural rights. We argue that it is important to further explore the colonial history in Sapmi, and its meaning and consequences today. Archaeology can contribute with new perspectives on colonial histories and relations, and connections between past and present in Sapmi. At the same time, many issues concerning the ethics and politics of archaeology need to be discussed. Furthermore, in discussions on Sami archaeology and heritage management in Sapmi, it is important to consider experiences from the international fields of postcolonial studies and indigenous archaeology.