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Governing the Uncertain pp 101–122Cite as

Adaptation of Sámi Reindeer Herding: EU Regulation and Climate Change

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Abstract

Northern Sámi reindeer herders have adapted to various changes ­throughout their history. One source of the flexibility and resilience that these changes have required is the traditional Sámi self-governance system of siidas, which is based on kinship among reindeer herding families. The most recent challenges facing herding are connected to climate change and EU regulations on reindeer meat production and carnivore protection. This chapter views climate change not only as a threat, but also as a possibility in light of the new regulations. The siida system, which features a range of members from different generations, creates a dynamic interaction that generates new, skilful innovative solutions to offset constraints on the livelihood: for example, in the case of reindeer meat production, people have managed well in spite of new hygiene regulations and climate change. In contrast, the effect of regulations protecting carnivores has been that the siida system and people’s skills no longer offer adaptive solutions. This could be the first time in the history of Sámi reindeer husbandry that the younger generation does not see any future in their livelihood.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The village of Kuttura village is located near the border of two reindeer herding co-operatives, Hammastunturi and Sallivaara, and is therefore divided into two siidas.

  2. 2.

    However, no one is allowed to cast a number of votes that exceeds 5% of the total number of reindeer owned by the partners in the co-operative.

  3. 3.

    Twenty per cent of a herd should consist of male reindeer.

  4. 4.

    For comparison, the three co-operatives of Sallivaara, Kaldoaivi and Paistunturi have only a single round-up site, at which all of the reindeer are gathered.

  5. 5.

    For comparison, Paistunturi combines the herds of different siidas, and the first round up is arranged after the rut at the end of September, with animals gathered for slaughter every fourth or fifth day thereafter. By December most of the reindeer in the co-operative have been sold, and thus the herders benefit from long, warm autumns.

  6. 6.

    The most common carnivore in northern Finland is the brown bear. Between 1978 and 2007, the bear population increased from 300 to 880–950 individuals, with the number of animals increasing to 1,050–1,300 during the summers. The population of lynx (Lynx lynx) increased between 1978 and 2009 from 100 to 1,400 individuals. The number of wolves (Canis lupus) rose between 1978 and 2007 from 80 to 340 and the wolverine population (Gulo gulo) increased from 50 to 80 individuals in 1980 to some 155–170 in 2007. There is no permission to hunt wolverines. (MMM 6/1996; Kainulainen 2008; RKTL 2007).

  7. 7.

    A forum for discussion on carnivores was held in Salla 31.1.2011.

  8. 8.

    In one case where a young local man disappeared in the forest, the air patrols did not start to look for him for 4 days.

  9. 9.

    The discussion of everyone in the EU having the rights to engage in reindeer herding in Finland sounds like pressure on the representatives of Sámi reindeer herders. In practice, obtaining an earmark in a Sámi co-operative is a lengthy process. If an earmark is being sold in a co-operative, another herder from the same co-operative has precedence in buying the animals. An owner without a family and a siida will receive no support if he or she suffers losses.

  10. 10.

    The latest research done by Lapinliitto was published in 2011. It looks as if the predator problem is spreading towards the co-operatives of the far north. (Kainulainen 2011)

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  1. Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, 122, 96101, Rovaniemi, Finland

    Terhi Vuojala-Magga

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Correspondence to Terhi Vuojala-Magga .

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  1. University of Lapland, Arctic Centre, Pohjoisranta 4, Rovaniemi, 96200, Finland

    Monica Tennberg

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Vuojala-Magga, T. (2012). Adaptation of Sámi Reindeer Herding: EU Regulation and Climate Change. In: Tennberg, M. (eds) Governing the Uncertain. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3843-0_6

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