Practising váimmusguovlu

Sámi Indigenous cultural practices are often discussed in relation to land rights, but there are aspects of these practices that have been less discussed. Can it be argued that communicating with the land in a sustainable way that gives wellbeing – to both the duojár and the land – is an aspect of the protected right to practise duddjon? We think that there are good reasons to argue this. The question we ask i is whether the legal protection of duddjon can be argued to include the right to communicate and act with the land in a traditional and ecological sustainable way, and as part of this communication – also a right to wellbeing through duddjon. Behind this question, there is an implication that communication and wellbeing is a part of the duddjon practice, a necessity for duddjon to be continued as a traditional practice.
By Gunvor Guttorm and Line Kalak.
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