Unpredictable Consequences of Sámi Self-determination: Rethinking the legal protection of Sámi cultural heritage in Norway

Sámi cultural heritage is protected in Norway by the Cultural Heritage Act. A 1978 amendment to this Act provides automatic protection to all Sámi cultural heritage sites and buildings older than 100 years. Strong legal protection has in a very positive and constructive way contributed to Sámi i...

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Main Authors: Marit Myrvoll, Alma Thuestad, Elin Rose Myrvoll, Inger Marie Holm-Olsen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cappelen Damm Akademisk NOASP 2012-04-01
Series:Arctic Review on Law and Politics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arcticreview.no/index.php/arctic/article/view/31
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author Marit Myrvoll
Alma Thuestad
Elin Rose Myrvoll
Inger Marie Holm-Olsen
author_facet Marit Myrvoll
Alma Thuestad
Elin Rose Myrvoll
Inger Marie Holm-Olsen
author_sort Marit Myrvoll
collection DOAJ
description Sámi cultural heritage is protected in Norway by the Cultural Heritage Act. A 1978 amendment to this Act provides automatic protection to all Sámi cultural heritage sites and buildings older than 100 years. Strong legal protection has in a very positive and constructive way contributed to Sámi identity and cultural self-determination for more than 30 years. This article discusses the current level of protection and different scenarios for future management of Sámi cultural heritage sites and buildings. Background material includes The Norwegian National Sites and Monuments Record, relevant policy documents, and interviews with Sámi cultural heritage management and three Sámi municipalities. Our results demonstrate that strong legislation for protection of Sámi cultural heritage, and thus in favour of Sámi cultural rights, can contribute to severe restrictions on future planning and development in local communities. The intent to protect Sámi cultural heritage sites, paradoxically, may in future threaten traditional Sámi land use. Keywords: Sámi, cultural heritage, cultural heritage management, Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act (1978), protected sites, Nordland, Troms, Finnmark. Citation: Arctic Review on Law and Politics, vol. 3, 1/2012 p. 30–50. ISSN 1891-6252
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spelling doaj.art-827e53321d3b44cc88f0d643838e516b2024-02-01T15:59:51ZengCappelen Damm Akademisk NOASPArctic Review on Law and Politics2387-45622012-04-013110.23865/arctic.v3.31Unpredictable Consequences of Sámi Self-determination: Rethinking the legal protection of Sámi cultural heritage in NorwayMarit MyrvollAlma ThuestadElin Rose MyrvollInger Marie Holm-Olsen Sámi cultural heritage is protected in Norway by the Cultural Heritage Act. A 1978 amendment to this Act provides automatic protection to all Sámi cultural heritage sites and buildings older than 100 years. Strong legal protection has in a very positive and constructive way contributed to Sámi identity and cultural self-determination for more than 30 years. This article discusses the current level of protection and different scenarios for future management of Sámi cultural heritage sites and buildings. Background material includes The Norwegian National Sites and Monuments Record, relevant policy documents, and interviews with Sámi cultural heritage management and three Sámi municipalities. Our results demonstrate that strong legislation for protection of Sámi cultural heritage, and thus in favour of Sámi cultural rights, can contribute to severe restrictions on future planning and development in local communities. The intent to protect Sámi cultural heritage sites, paradoxically, may in future threaten traditional Sámi land use. Keywords: Sámi, cultural heritage, cultural heritage management, Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act (1978), protected sites, Nordland, Troms, Finnmark. Citation: Arctic Review on Law and Politics, vol. 3, 1/2012 p. 30–50. ISSN 1891-6252 https://arcticreview.no/index.php/arctic/article/view/31Sámicultural heritagecultural heritage managementNorwegian Cultural Heritage Act (1978)protected sitesNordland
spellingShingle Marit Myrvoll
Alma Thuestad
Elin Rose Myrvoll
Inger Marie Holm-Olsen
Unpredictable Consequences of Sámi Self-determination: Rethinking the legal protection of Sámi cultural heritage in Norway
Arctic Review on Law and Politics
Sámi
cultural heritage
cultural heritage management
Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act (1978)
protected sites
Nordland
title Unpredictable Consequences of Sámi Self-determination: Rethinking the legal protection of Sámi cultural heritage in Norway
title_full Unpredictable Consequences of Sámi Self-determination: Rethinking the legal protection of Sámi cultural heritage in Norway
title_fullStr Unpredictable Consequences of Sámi Self-determination: Rethinking the legal protection of Sámi cultural heritage in Norway
title_full_unstemmed Unpredictable Consequences of Sámi Self-determination: Rethinking the legal protection of Sámi cultural heritage in Norway
title_short Unpredictable Consequences of Sámi Self-determination: Rethinking the legal protection of Sámi cultural heritage in Norway
title_sort unpredictable consequences of sami self determination rethinking the legal protection of sami cultural heritage in norway
topic Sámi
cultural heritage
cultural heritage management
Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act (1978)
protected sites
Nordland
url https://arcticreview.no/index.php/arctic/article/view/31
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