Open seminar on Sámi human remains

The seminar will highlight historical perspectives and current repatriation processes in Sweden. The aim is, among other things, to promote a more in-depth dialogue about the challenges, opportunities and ways forward, as well as increasing knowledge and understanding.

Time: Tuesday 9 April 09.15 am – 12.00 pm. Location: Room IV, Universitetshuset in Uppsala. The seminar is free of charge and open to the media.

Demands for return
“It is immoral and inhumane that there are still Sámi human remains at museums and other institutes in Sweden, against the will of the Sámi. We hope we can broaden the discussion and understanding further and contribute to eliminating obstacles to repatriation and repossession,” says Lisbeth Hotti, the Church of Sweden’s Representative for Sámi Church Life.

The Sámi Parliament (Sámediggi) and Sámi activists have for many years demanded the return and reburial of Sámi human remains collected for anatomical and racial biology research. The demands are part of a wider discussion about Sámi indigenous rights and greater Sámi self-determination with regard to cultural heritage issues. Repatriation and reburial issues are also now discussed around the world.

“The return of Sámi remains is an important issue for the Sámi and the Sámi community, and the Church of Sweden therefore supports this work, as shown by the example in Lycksele,” says Lisbeth Hotti.

Roundtable discussions
The Church of Sweden has raised repatriation issues as part of its ongoing work to bring about a reconciliation process with the Sámi people, and in 2017 the Archbishop initiated a series of roundtable discussions with, among others, the Sámi Parliament, museums and national authorities in Sweden. The first such discussion took place in November 2017, and that is now being followed by a similar discussion featuring specially invited participants. It will take place straight after the seminar, on 9 April.

Programme for the seminar
09.15 Opening address by Ingrid Inga, Chair of the Sámi Council in the Church of Sweden.

09.30 The historical background of the collections and details of current repatriation debates. Carl-Gösta Ojala, researcher, Institute of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Uppsala.

09.50 The anatomical collections at Gustavianum in Uppsala. Anne Ingvarsson, 1st curator, Gustavianum, Uppsala University Museum.

10.10 The repatriation process in Lycksele 2019 – a planned reburial. 
Mikael Jakobsson, Chair of the Lycksele Sámi Association, member of the Sámi Parliament’s Ethical Council.
Olle Thoors, Communications Officer at South Lapland’s pastorate, Church of Sweden.
Adriana Aurelius, Repatriation Project Manager, Lycksele Municipality.

10:30 Sámi perspectives on repatriation and reburial. Rose-Marie Huuva, artist and poet.

10.50 Coffee break

11.10 Panel discussion, with time for questions. The lecturers, as well as Knut Weibull, the Head Curator at the National Heritage Board.
Moderator: Katarina Pirak Sikku, Artistic Director and researcher

Contact people: 
Lisbeth Hotti, Church of Sweden: lisbeth.hotti@svenskakyrkan.se 
Carl-Gösta Ojala, Institute of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Uppsla: carl-gosta.ojala@arkeologi.uu.se