Preservation of Sami Identity in Sweden: Historical Development and Contemporary Challenges

Abstract

For every ethnic group, protecting customs, language, religion, and cultural identity matters. Protecting these rights remains a major national policy concern. This study examines the historical development and current issues in preserving Sami identity in Sweden, with an emphasis on language policy, education, political representation, and cultural institutions.

This research aims to analyse the mechanisms that protect Sami identity and assess their effectiveness in safeguarding linguistic and cultural continuity. The study uses a qualitative research design, which employs historical-comparative and institutional approaches. The data collected included an examination of legal documents, policy papers, international instruments on indigenous peoples, and academic literature on Sami language use and education. The findings show that Sweden has a relatively comprehensive framework protecting Sami identity, including constitutional recognition, the establishment of the Sami Parliament, minority language legislation, and Sami educational institutions. These measures have helped revitalise the Sami language and media and strengthen Indigenous participation in public life. However, many challenges remain, including a lack of qualified teachers, limited educational resources, and the continued dominance of Swedish in many areas of social and educational life. The study shows that language and education remain the best tools for maintaining Sami identity and transferring culture from one generation to the next. The results may inform future research on Indigenous peoples, minority language protection, and policy formulation to protect cultural diversity and Indigenous heritage.