Apology to the Sámi to be made in Sápmi

“It is important that the apology is also made in Sápmi and not only in the national sanctuary in Uppsala,” says Archbishop Antje Jackelén.

Ságastallamat is a two-day conference to be held on 21–22 October, concluding with a special service of worship in Luleå Cathedral, where the apology from the Church of Sweden to the Sámi people will be made again.

“Reconciliation is a long process in which the apology is a necessary milestone. Those receiving the apology must be given time to respond. This is another reason why it makes sense for the apology to be made on two occasions, almost a year apart,” says Archbishop Antje Jackelén.

In cooperation between the Church of Sweden at national level, the Sámi Council of the Church of Sweden and the northern dioceses, an action plan has been developed. It is based on the eight commitments made by the Church of Sweden. It focuses on five different areas to be developed by 2026. These include influence and participation, Sámi ecclesiastical life, Sámi children and young people, indigenous rights and land management and forestry.

“The development work is taking time, but things are not standing still,” says Erik-Oscar Oscarson, chairman of the Sámi Council of the Church of Sweden. “I am proud of the action plan that has been fully drafted and I have high hopes for the work that now lies ahead.”

During the first day of the conference, participants will hear about Sámi ecclesiastical life, the eight commitments of the church and practical examples from parishes. Day two is about Sámi participation in the ongoing reconciliation process. All seminars will be broadcast live on the Church of Sweden website.

“We will discuss the history of the Sámi people, but also the situation today,” says Bishop of Luleå Diocese Åsa Nyström. “Sharing knowledge and experience is, I believe, an important component in achieving reconciliation. That is why I am particularly pleased that the seminars are also being broadcast online for all to see.”

About Ságastallamat

• In connection with the Ságastallamat 2 conference, the Archbishop will once again offer the Church of Sweden’s official apology to the Sámi people.
• The conference and special service of worship will be broadcast live and can be viewed after the event on the Church of Sweden’s website.
• Ságastallamat means dialogue or conversation in Northern Sámi. It is a recurring ecclesiastical conference that has had a major impact on the work of reconciliation so far.
• The first Ságastallamat conference was held in Kiruna in October 2011. Many individual testimonies were given during the meeting in Kiruna, testifying to the pain many Sámi bear due to the Church’s previous actions and structures that have suppressed Sámi identity, culture and language.
• A Ságastallamat 3 is scheduled for 2026 and a final Ságastallamat 4 for 2031.

Links

About the reconciliation process

Objectives and action plan

Watch the seminars live

On 21–22 October, the Ságastallamat conference will be held in Luleå. The conference will be broadcast live on the Church of Sweden’s website. The seminars will also be available for viewing after the event.

Watch the special service of worship live

The special service of worship on 23 October will be broadcast via the Church of Sweden’s website. On the website you can also download the agenda for the service.

Press accreditation and press conference

Please send your name, editorial office and mobile phone number in an email to press@svenskakyrkan.se by 10 am on Friday 21 October at the latest. Enter “Accreditation Ságastallamat” in the subject line.

Journalists/photographers covering the special service of worship can collect name badges from 10:30 am on 23 October at the north gate of the cathedral. The north gate is also the entrance for journalists and photographers. Press seats will be available in the church’s gallery.

Immediately after the service, there will be a short press conference in the cathedral where there will be an opportunity to interview Archbishop Antje, Bishop Åsa, Erik-Oscar Oskarsson (chairman of the Sámi Council of the Church of Sweden) and other participants in the service.

Photography

During the service, photographs may only be taken from the gallery and without a flash.