Contribution long abstract:

The long and streamlined boat, luossafanas in Sámi, is a significant epitome of the Deatnu (Teno river) Sámi culture. The local way of living is grounded on cycles of the river including the fluctuating level and temperature of the water. These are important factors to be considered in fishing salmon with traditional fishing techniques including drift net and weir. Regardless of the task – be it fishing or traveling – a boat has been an ideal and crucial object needed for living with Deatnu.

The boatmaking skill and suitable form of the boat has formed over centuries and maintained its traditional form to this day. Yet, the alarming decline of Atlantic salmon stocks and the resulting fishing ban have brought the way of life at Deatnu valley under threat. The closure of the river has been particularly harmful for maintaining the practice of boat making as the demand for new boats has collapsed. Also, other societal and environmental changes at the river valley have brought the important skill and practice of boatmaking on the edge of extinction.

Our contribution is based on a project of making a traditional pole boat by a Sámi boatmaker from Utsjoki village and accompanying minidocumentary on the making process. The making from gathering raw materials to the end product of “fishy” and beautiful boat materializes not only the boatmaker's but also the Sámi community’s historical knowledge and skill. The boat helps the community to remember their traditions and to carry them forward into the future.