Sámi Youth Perspectives, Education and the Labour Market
By Lise Smed Olsen, Linnea Löfving, Juho-Matti Paavola, Jens Bjørn Grelck
This study aims to provide an overview and knowledge of Sámi educational institutions and Sámi youth perspectives, which can feed into the development of regional development initiatives and policies. The study therefore brings together insights into the links between Sámi educational institutions and the labour market, plus the perspectives of Sámi young people on their participation in world of work. Our focus on youth also includes providing an overview of which topics Sámi youth organisations engage with, and how they are involved in regional development. The study also considers both similarities and differences and across Sápmi and highlights forms of crossborder cooperation which are in place today, as well as the potential for future forms.
Our analysis addresses the following questions:
1. What perspectives do Sámi young people have on labour market opportunities and regional economic development?
2. How do Sámi educational institutions design educational programmes which foster the connection between the Sámi indigenous culture and regional economic development? Sustainable development perspectives on the environment (e.g. land use), gender (e.g. that outward migration is primarily by women), and culture and economic development (e.g. how young Sámi perceive traditional/contemporary Sámi culture and values as part of their working life) all form part of the analysis.