Sámi Cultural Heritage in Audiovisual Archives – Ethical Reflections on the Sámi Audiovisual Collection

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article explores the representation of Sámi cultural heritage in audiovisual archives, specifically focusing on the Sámi Audiovisual Collection research project and the work that has been done to establish a Sámi film and television database, Sápmi on Film and TV (Sápmi på film och TV). It also provides insights into how Indigenous peoples‘ right to self-determination can be implemented by working with archival material alongside Indigenous institutions. The article highlights how historical representations of the Sámi have been shaped by outsiders’ visions, often resulting in objectification and exoticization. By working with new metadata descriptions based on Sámi languages and Sámi knowledge, a remediation of the old film material can be conducted and the archives can serve as important sources of Sámi cultural heritage. Emphasis is placed on the importance of making all material publicly accessible and that it should be accompanied by contextual information and ethical recommendations to address the racist expressions found in some of the content. By making material concerning Indigenous peoples in the national archives available and searchable, by creating new metadata in Indigenous languages, and by creating ethical recommendations regarding the collection, new stories, new knowledge, and new history will be enabled to take shape for the future.