In case you’re not familiar with the Sámi people, they are commonly referred to as "the reindeer people" and are common in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Finnish lawmakers have now approved an overhaul of the Sámi Parliament Act, enhancing the self-governance rights of Europe’s only recognized Indigenous people. The long-delayed reform, stalled under three prior governments, aligns Finland’s legal framework with its human rights commitments, addressing years of international criticism. The Sámi, numbering around 10,500 in Finland, are constitutionally guaranteed the right to preserve their three distinct languages and culture. Their primary political body — the 21-seat Sámi Parliament — oversees decisions in their Lapland homeland in Northern Scandinavia. The new law refines the electoral system, tying voting and candidate eligibility to linguistic heritage by requiring the Sámi language as a mother tongue. The reform, passed after many heated debates, marks a turning point, ensuring that the Sámi Parliament – elected every four years – can better serve its people’s cultural and political aspirations.
