Sami cultural policy

Sami culture, art, and language are a natural part of the national cultural policy, but they are also a responsibility of public authorities at all levels of government. At the same time, the Sami Parliament pursues an independent cultural policy within the framework of allocations from the state budget and is a key partner in the government's work on Sami art, culture, and language.

The cultural policy related to Sami art and culture is based on the principle that all peoples have the right to own and manage their cultural heritage, and that institutions within the majority society have a responsibility to integrate Sami art and culture into their work.

The Ministry of Culture and Equality oversees the government's Sami policy in the cultural field, for example by participating in start-up and construction projects related to Sami cultural buildings, and through grants for various Sami cultural measures.

The grants are allocated, among other purposes, to collective remuneration schemes for Sami artists, Sami newspapers, Sami films, Sami archives, and Sami sports. Several recipients of grants from the Ministry of Culture and Equality also view Sami art, culture, and language as a natural part of their assignment. These include, for example, the National Library of Norway, the Norwegian Arts Council, and the museums within the national museum network.

For an overview of allocations to Sami measures in the state budget, please refer to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development's annual publication on Sami-related allocations in the state budget.

• Further information about the basic principles and main features of the government’s Sami policy can be found on the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development's website.