Local landscape perspectives

Mähttse - Forest landscape

The area around Arjeplog has been home to humans since the ice sheet disappeared almost 10 000 years ago. The resources of the varied environment are and have been the basis for life here. The cultural landscape has been shaped by people who, through generations, have learned to use without consuming - an important part of a sustainable ecosystem.

For a long time, the traces of human use were small and subtle, but since the mid-20th century, industrial forestry has significantly changed the conditions in the forest landscape. In the Sámi and local culture, landscape perspectives and connections between different areas are a mainstay and influence, for example, how we fish, hunt, pick berries and mushrooms or practice reindeer husbandry. However, large-scale forestry and other land uses have long changed and influenced how we can use the land. Local people have often had limited influence over how forest landscapes and natural resources are used, while reindeer herding and other traditional Sámi land uses in particular have been negatively affected. Combined with the climate changes of recent decades, this leads to major challenges.

There is therefore a great need to create an arena for meetings between Sámi representatives* and other Arjeplog residents, forestry workers and researchers to discuss these challenges. Through the project, we want to contribute to improving conditions in the forest landscape from a local and Sami perspective. In the process, we can learn more about each other's conditions and develop new ideas about methods for the management and utilization of forest landscapes.

The conditions in the forest are different depending on where the area is located. For this reason, we have chosen the local perspective on the forest landscape as the starting point for the project, and in this case focus on areas within the municipality of Arjeplog or other areas that are important to the Sámi villages.

Watch this space and other social media channels for more information on project activities.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact the project manager Malin Brännström, malin.brannstrom@silvermuseet.se.

* Arjeplog Sámi Association, the Sámi villages of Västra Kikkejaure, Stokke, Maskaure, Luokta-Mávas, Semisjaur-Njarg and Svaipa.

The project is funded by the Postcode Foundation and will run from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2025.

Close-up of a line in the bark of a grayed pine. A blueberry-stained finger points to the line.

Bark tectonics in Vattme, north side of Tjieggelvas, Piteälven. Photo: Gry H Sivertsen, Silvermuseet

Pine forest in winter. Grazing reindeer are visible between the pines.

Grazing reindeer, Luokta Mávas sameby. Photo: Anna-Maria Fjellström

Outside, with pine trees in the background, is a fallen thunderstorm. It forms a pile of gray, decayed wood with bits of bark. The pile is almost triangular in shape, with some boards sticking up in the middle.

Downfallen ridge, Lamparheden. Photo: Gry H Sivertsen, Silvermuseet