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Paper Short Abstract:

The project Sávvet - To heal cultural heritage through digitization explores how local Sámi communities can be directly involved in repatriation processes, to re-establish relations between museum objects and Sámi families. A central part of the project has been to understand and meet Sami perspectives in the museum's work.

Paper Abstract:

The project Sávvet - To heal cultural heritage through digitization explores how local Sámi communities can be directly involved in repatriation processes, to re-establish relations between museum objects and Sámi families. The project is based on close cooperation between Silvermuseet, a local cultural history museum within the Pite Sámi area, and the local Sámi community. Together we identify objects that are sensitive from an ethical perspective and explore how digitization, through 3D technology, can give the Sámi society and families access to objects in the museum.

A central part of the project has been to understand and meet Sami perspectives in the museum's work. It has become clear that certain concepts commonly used by museums are not appropriate in relation to Sami perspectives. An example is the concepts of “object” or “item” which are based on the museums’ view of ownership of the collections. However, objects that have a strong connection to a specific Sami family have a completely different dimension in their eyes. To describe this type of object, we have chosen to use the concept “belonging” to show respect for this relationship. Our conclusion is that the terminology reflects power relations that museums need to be aware of.