Sweden Field School: Conversations with the Sami on Revitalizing Indigenous Lands and Cultures

A group  Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, as well as a local elder, travelled to Sweden to learn about cultural revitalization and land based practices with the Sámi, an indigenous people who traditionally inhabit parts of Scandinavia and Russia.  (See more information on the Sami in Sweden.)  The Guelph group also shared information with the Sámi about Indigenous issues in Canada including land-based work, the experiences of recovering Indigenous identity and culture, and bringing Indigenous knowledge into the universities.  They visited various Sami organizations and some Swedish universities that are involved in research with Sámi people.  Additionally, the group traveled to northern Sweden to visit with people working in Sámi culture, education, art and reindeer herding.

Field School Details

• Instructor: Dr. Kim Anderson, Family Relations & Applied Nutrition.  Dr. Anderson is an Indigenous (Metis) professor who does research on Indigenous relationships, land-based learning and Indigenous women and gender.

• Students were registered for 1.0 credits at the 3rd year level