LOCAL CULTURE

Inari has been inhabited by different Sami groups as well as Finnish newcomers. We would like to tell you a little about a less known Sami minority, the Inarisami, who are the indigenous people of our area.

Today this minority within a minority (ca. 700 members) are especially known for their fight to keep alive their own language. The language nest, kielâpiervâl, a method adapted from the Maori, has been the key for the revitalisation of the Inarisami language. Nowadays children of Inarisami origin can learn this language in this Sami speaking nursery. The children become fluent quickly – in the language that their parents do not usually speak – and are ready to begin school also taught mostly in Inarisami. In the language nest the children learn also traditional ways of life, for example how to set willow grouse traps.

Although the parents have often lost the language skill, they still hold their ethnic heritage dear. Traditional livelihoods, fishing and small scale reindeer herding as well as gathering of berries are still practised. Although most Inarisami have regular jobs, nature plays an important part in their free time. Changing seasons bring along different activities and cloudberry season and the fishing of Inari red trout mark the passing of time.

The Inarisami heritage is part of our lives too. We aim to support local culture whenever we can and for example all Lake Inari fish served in the restaurant comes directly from local fishermen.

You can read more  www.siida.fi/anaras