By Rosalie Sundin
One of the original indigenous cultures of the Arctic are the Sámi people (formerly referred to as Laplanders.)  Their original “Sapmi” homeland extended westward from the Kola peninsula of Russia, across Finland, to the Atlantic coast of Norway, and from edge of the polar seas southward through central Norway and Sweden.  Over the centuries, as Scandinavian settlers and hunters moved further and further north, the Sámi people lost much of their southern lands. Today Sapmi extends across northern Norway, Finland, northernmost Sweden and the Russian Kola peninsula.
Every year Ingebretsen”'s “Sámi Day” celebration is co-hosted by Twin Cities members of the “Sámi Siida of North America,” an association of descendants of Sámi immigrants from throughout the U.S. and Canada. We welcome everyone to join us, for an opportunity to learn about and share in our Sámi culture, traditions and arts — and perhaps to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions many have about the Sámi people.
Kurt Seaberg, a nationally recognized Sámi-American artist (and expert on Sami culture and history) will start the day, followed by Tim Frandy from the U of W-Madison”'s Scandinavian Studies department, who will share his translations of “noaidi” (shaman) folk tales. They will be followed by a demonstration on how to make traditional Sámi “tinwire” bracelets. Siida members with expertise in researching Sámi genealogy will also be on hand to answer questions throughout the day.
We hope you will join us to celebrate our ancient Sámi culture in our lavvu (tent) on December 1st at Ingebretsen”'s!
