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Paper short abstract

The relationship between the Skolt Sami people’s nature-based livelihood activities and the natural environment is the starting point for research in this paper. New requirements and methods emerge to the anthropological study of indigenous culture. The keyword is collaboration.

Paper long abstract

This presentation is based on the polarization between the indigenous culture and the aspirations of the global political-economic system. The culture of the Skolt Sami in Finland, or more precisely their nature-based livelihood activities, are in danger of being subsumed by the dominant culture in the struggle for natural resources. I believe that transforming this conflict into a resource for the Indigenous people offers suitable challenges for anthropological research. In practice, since Finland joined the EU in 1995, reindeer husbandry has adapted to the agricultural principles of the European Union in such a way that the state has supported the growth of unit size, i.e., the number of reindeer per person. The number of reindeer owners has declined significantly over the past 30 years, and the importance of reindeer husbandry as a builder of broader community spirit has declined. The traditional way of life of the Skolt Sami Indigenous people combines the use of natural resources with the protection of nature. When we talk about nature conservation, we usually ignore the possible survival of the community and its culture. I argue that, for the Skolt Sami people, it is not enough to save nature; attention must also be paid to the community and its culture. The paper presents new requirements for the research of indigenous culture. The keyword is cooperation. Recent developments in research ethics point in the same direction. In addition, new research methods and tools are presented, as well as anthropologists’ collaboration with representatives of other disciplines.