10.5.2024

Welcome to follow the journey of the project MÁHTUT – Sámi knowledge and practices in the era of the green transition. This blog post tells a little bit about the project and the activities we will carry out in it.

Traditional Sámi society and the Sámi way of life have been based on the circular economy: managing overflows and utilizing and reusing products and materials have been basic pillars in the circular way of life. The MÁHTUT project is based on the idea of the Sámi being experts of the circular economy and self-sufficiency. We aim to strengthen and enhance knowledge and skills concerning the Sámi circular economy and subsistence, as well as to raise awareness of these practices from the perspective of sustainability. Our goal is to produce research-based and practical knowledge for Sámi communities and the wider audience. In addition, we aim to create reports and recommendations to inform decision makers about Sámi issues.

During the project, we will arrange practical training modules and workshops that focus on strengthening, developing, and revitalizing Sámi subsistence practices such as preserving fish and meat, including traditional Norwegian coastal Sápmi and river Sámi fish and meat preservation methods. We will also observe and strengthen the best practices in off-grid situations by arranging training modules on gathering wild food and herbs and using temporary dwellings, shelters, and tools in safeguarding functional food security practices.

We will collect and strengthen knowledge related to the Sámi circular economy and produce knowledge about the impacts of climate change and other challenges affecting traditional Sámi livelihoods and the Sámi circular economy and subsistence traditions. One objective of the project is to investigate how Sámi food systems and circular traditions are influencing the well-being of the Sámi. In addition, we analyze international legal tools that can support the Sámi in employing their traditional practices and skills.

As the project works closely with traditional knowledge, we focus on ethical and legal questions regarding the use of Indigenous knowledge. We will conduct workshops, carry out legal investigations, and create policy guidelines on questions related to documenting, storing, and displaying Indigenous knowledge.

In the future, you can read more about the activities, progress, and outcomes of the MÁHTUT project on this blog, which is one of the platforms to spread information about the project to the wider audience. Stay tuned!

Written: Mari Viinikainen, Project manager

---