{"id":1186,"date":"2022-03-30T10:18:17","date_gmt":"2022-03-30T07:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.abo.fi\/socialexclusion\/?p=1186"},"modified":"2024-09-18T15:01:14","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T12:01:14","slug":"green-coloniality-of-power-over-sami-in-finland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.abo.fi\/socialexclusion\/2022\/03\/30\/green-coloniality-of-power-over-sami-in-finland\/","title":{"rendered":"Green coloniality of power over S\u00e1mi in Finland?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Written by Johanna Zilliacus<\/h5>\n

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In my opinion, there is no climate justice if there is no justice for indigenous people<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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– Mari Valjakka<\/strong>, S\u00e1mi pastor at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, in an interview by Barents Observer<\/em>[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Free<\/p>\n

Photo: Expect Best \/ Pexels.com<\/p>\n

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Indigenous S\u00e1mi communities in Finland, Sweden and Norway, have all spoken up against green colonialism in their territories[2]<\/a>. They claim that these governments\u2019 climate action violates their rights to land, livelihoods and decision-making. Most of the opposition to green colonialism relates to wind farms built and planned in the S\u00e1mi territory (S\u00e1pmi<\/em>). Further, mining projects for minerals needed for electric vehicle batteries are considered to be conducted in S\u00e1pmi. A (currently dormant) railway project crossing Finnish S\u00e1pmi[3]<\/a> could also be categorised as a climate change project. They contribute to shifting our societies away from fossil fuel dependency. At the same time, these climate projects can be seen as a continuum of centuries of repressive politics of the Nordic countries on S\u00e1mi communities.[4]<\/a> In this blog post, I\u2019ll look into Finnish wind power development in S\u00e1pmi from a lens of coloniality of power and the process of bordering and continued social exclusion of S\u00e1mi peoples.<\/p>\n

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Case: wind power in S\u00e1pmi creating borders<\/h4>\n

The global climate change emergency requires quick action by nations worldwide to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One important measure is the shift towards producing renewable electricity[5]<\/a>. This is also the motivator behind the several wind power projects planned and implemented across Finland, including in S\u00e1pmi, where wind conditions are good. One example of this is a project in Lapland by Smart Windpower Oy<\/em>. The planned wind power farm will expand over 68 m2<\/sup> in the area of Ylitornio.[6]<\/a> Local communities, including S\u00e1mi communities, have vehemently opposed this project.<\/p>\n

The main reason for the local opposition is the expected negative impact on reindeer herding, a traditional livelihood of the S\u00e1mi population. Studies have shown that reindeer avoid going near wind power parks, which affects their grazing behaviour and places more pressure on the smaller amounts of land available for grazing, impacting the longer-term sustainability of those lands[7]<\/a>. Another reason for the opposition is the lack of care for seidas<\/em>, the holy places of S\u00e1mi[8]<\/a>, many of them located on the fells and hills where wind farms tend to be built. Finally, an important reason lies in past negative experiences of energy projects linked to coloniality of power and social exclusion of S\u00e1mi. Hydropower plants were built in S\u00e1pmi in the 1960s, causing the forced relocation of hundreds of S\u00e1mi in Finland, negatively affecting reindeer-based livelihoods and tearing apart language and cultural networks. These projects were developed without proper engagement and consultation of the local population[9]<\/a>, which can be seen as a misuse of the colonial power of the Finnish government for the extraction of natural resources in S\u00e1pmi. This past act of repression is thus clearly still a cause for the divide between S\u00e1mi communities and the Finnish government, and the wind power projects continue with this bordering process.<\/p>\n

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Political implications of the wind farm projects<\/h4>\n

Janne Hirvasvuopio,<\/strong> a S\u00e1mi member of the Green Party, explains that he cannot support the wind power ambitions of the Green Party as long as they imply wind power farms in S\u00e1pmi. He claims that wind power projects in S\u00e1pmi are a continuation of colonial power relations. The Finnish government uses its colonial power to extract natural resources of the S\u00e1pmi lands once again and draws parallels between the wind power projects to the disastrous hydropower projects[10]<\/a>. Interestingly, the Green Party has been one of the most vocal parties in relation to S\u00e1mi\u2019s rights, but at the same time, green colonialism is drawing borders between (green) S\u00e1mi activists and the Green Party.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the concept of green colonialism could also be misused for political purposes to drive the agenda of the climate change-denialist \u201cTrue\u201d Finns Party. Member of Parliament Kaisa Juuso<\/strong> has used it as a facade to oppose wind power projects[11]<\/a>, however, without acknowledging the colonial power relations between the Finnish government and the S\u00e1mi population.<\/p>\n

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Whose knowledge counts?<\/h4>\n

Another aspect of coloniality of power and social exclusion of S\u00e1mi in the form of green colonialism is the Eurocentricity of knowledge and generally approved science relating to climate change action. In line with the assumed rationality[12]<\/a> of the Western forces driving modernity, technology (such as wind power) is seen as a central solution to climate change. This view completely ignores the indigenous knowledge that could provide less resource-intensive and more sustainable solutions for tackling climate change[13]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This blog post is not a stance against wind power. We need to disconnect our societies from fossil fuels as soon as possible, and renewable energy is a meaningful way forward for this. However, we need to ensure that any climate projects are designed with an understanding of the underlying power relations between the S\u00e1mi and the Finnish government, respecting the S\u00e1mi community\u2019s knowledge as well as the right to their lands and livelihoods. Further, indigenous knowledge should become a central input for all climate change action.<\/p>\n

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This blog illustrates how a colonial past still today affects power relations. Climate change projects developed without this understanding and consideration may lead to the further social exclusion of S\u00e1mi people and the development of a more robust cultural, social and economic border between the Finnish state and Finns, and S\u00e1mi communities<\/p>\n

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[1]<\/a> Salonen, S-M. (2021, November 14). S\u00e1mi representatives in COP26 raise concerns over ‘green colonialism’. The Barents Observer<\/em>. Available at: https:\/\/thebarentsobserver.com\/en\/indigenous-peoples\/2021\/11\/sami-representatives-cop26-raise-concerns-over-green-colonialism<\/a><\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> See for example: Salonen, S-M. (2021, November 14). S\u00e1mi representatives in COP26 raise concerns over ‘green colonialism’. The Barents Observer<\/em>. Available at: https:\/\/thebarentsobserver.com\/en\/indigenous-peoples\/2021\/11\/sami-representatives-cop26-raise-concerns-over-green-colonialism<\/a><\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Paltto, A-S. & Tammela, L. (2021, May 18). Saamelaisten huoli vaihtui huojennukseen, kun J\u00e4\u00e4meren rata p\u00e4\u00e4tettiin poistaa maakuntakaavasta: Arvokas p\u00e4\u00e4t\u00f6s, mutta yh\u00e4 pelottaa. Yle\/<\/em> Finnish Broadcasting Company<\/em>. Available at: https:\/\/yle.fi\/uutiset\/3-11935800<\/a><\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Keskinen, S. (2019). Intra-Nordic Differences, Colonial\/Racial Histories, and National Narratives: Rewriting Finnish History. Scandinavian studies<\/em>, 91(1-2), 163-181. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5406\/scanstud.91.1-2.0163<\/a><\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> See, e.g. International Panel of Climate Change (2018). Global Warming of 1.5\u00b0C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5\u00b0C above pre-industrial levels<\/em>. Available at: https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/sr15\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Laatikainen (2020). Ylitornion kunnanhallitus hyv\u00e4ksyi Honkavaara-Isovaaran tuulivoima-alueen kaavoitusaloitteen. Lapin Kansa.<\/em> Available at: https:\/\/www.lapinkansa.fi\/ylitornion-kunnanhallitus-hyvaksyi-honkavaara-isov\/2967286<\/a><\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Seipiharju, S. (2020, July 29). Lis\u00e4\u00e4ntyv\u00e4 tuulivoimaa luo painetta porotaloudelle Norjassa \u2013 tuoreen raportin mukaan porotalous ja tuulivoima eiv\u00e4t sovi samalle alueelle. Yle\/<\/em> Finnish Broadcasting Company<\/em>. Available at: https:\/\/yle.fi\/uutiset\/3-11466670<\/a>; Ny Teknik (2016, August 24). Studie: Vindkraftverk st\u00f6r renar. Available at: https:\/\/www.nyteknik.se\/energi\/studie-vindkraftverk-stor-renar-6779259<\/a><\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Verde (2021)<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> Yle\/Finnish Broadcasting Company (2010, December 10). Tutkimus: Vesivoiman rakentaminen vahingoitti saamelaisia. Available at: https:\/\/yle.fi\/uutiset\/3-5682820<\/a><\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> Leukumaavaara, J. (2019, August 29). Twitter-saamelainen Janne Hirvasvuopio haluaa puhua vihre\u00e4st\u00e4 kolonialismista. Vihre\u00e4 Lanka.<\/em> Available at: https:\/\/www.vihrealanka.fi\/juttu\/twitter-saamelainen-janne-hirvasvuopio-haluaa-puhua-vihre%C3%A4st%C3%A4-kolonialismista<\/a><\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> Juuso, K. (2020, February 26).\u00a0Vihre\u00e4 kolonialismi valtaa Suomen. Blog post at\u00a0Kaisa Juuso – kansanedustaja. Available at:\u00a0https:\/\/kaisajuuso.kotisivukone.com\/blogi\/2020\/02\/26\/33389<\/a><\/p>\n

[12]<\/a> Quijano, A. (2007). COLONIALITY AND MODERNITY\/RATIONALITY. Cultural studies (London, England)<\/em>, 21(2-3), 168-178. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09502380601164353<\/a><\/p>\n

[13]<\/a> Pettenger, M. E. (2016). The social construction of climate change: Power, knowledge, norms, discourses.<\/em> Routledge; Brugnach, M., Craps, M. & Dewulf, A. (2017). Including indigenous peoples in climate change mitigation: Addressing issues of scale, knowledge and power. Climatic change<\/em>, 140(1), 19-32. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10584-014-1280-3<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by Johanna Zilliacus   In my opinion, there is no climate justice if there is no justice for indigenous people – Mari Valjakka, S\u00e1mi pastor at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, in an interview by Barents Observer[1] Photo: Expect Best \/ Pexels.com   Indigenous S\u00e1mi communities in Finland, Sweden and Norway, have all spoken … <\/p>\n

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