Skolt Saami Cultural Foundationʼs Sääʹmpääʹljes project has started – Mirkka Ollila elected as a project worker
The Finnish Cultural Foundation granted the Skolt Saami Cultural Foundation 80,000 euros from the Harry Hendunen Fund for a project called Sääʹmpääʹljes, which aims to define the situation of the Skolt Saami language and the conditions for using the language in Finnish society. The project was able to start at the end of April 2025.
The immediate objective of the survey carried out in the project is to obtain an overall picture of language speakers, language use opportunities and arenas, and to identify the gaps, challenges and bottlenecks that slow down or prevent the transmission, use and vitality of the language. Based on the survey, the most effective and critical language revitalization measures will be identified at this time. The survey will be conducted within the Skolt Saami community from the community’s own starting points, utilizing stakeholder cooperation. The project will produce information for the use of the Skolt Saami community and enable the creation of a long-term language revitalization strategy that unites different actors and stakeholders. In addition, some concrete action will be implemented in the final phase of the project to encourage the implementation of the measures.
The Skolt Saami Cultural Foundation looked for a project worker for the Sääʹmpääʹljes – Report on the Skolt Saami language situation in Finland -project for a 14-month assignment. The job was available for applications from 19 March 2025 to 4 April 2025. The position primarily sought a researcher with a suitable university degree, experience in research/survey work, analysis and reporting of qualitative material, and good communication and interaction skills. During the application period, a total of 11 applications were received for the position, and four were invited for interviews. After the interviews, one of the applicants withdrew their application. Mirkka Ollila, a Master of Social Science and doctoral researcher, was selected for the position. Ollila has started in the position on 28 April 2025.
Ollila has previously studied, among other things, the concrete bureaucratic obstacles that the Kola Saami face in their efforts to exercise their right to traditional livelihoods, self-determination and self-government in the easternmost region of Saami land, as well as the “green” mining activity spreading on the Kola Peninsula, the related processes and the possibility of the Saami to participate in decision-making processes. As part of her doctoral thesis, she also analyzed the marginalization of Arctic indigenous peoples and unbalanced power relations on the Kola Peninsula.
She sees the Sääʹmpääʹljes project as a significant step in strengthening the position of the Skolt Saami language and increasing the effectiveness of language work. In Ollila’s view, identifying the language community is key – it helps to understand the factors that support vitality and face the challenges that affect language transfer. “The project brings together information, actors and views, on the basis of which sustainable language policy solutions and strategies can be built. I am truly grateful to be able to participate in this work based on the community’s own needs and wishes,” Ollila sums up.
The Sääʹmpääʹljes project is a project funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and managed by the Skolt Saami Cultural Foundation, with a planned total duration of 14 months and will be implemented between 28 April 2025 and 30 June 2026. The project will be implemented in close cooperation with the Skolt Saami Siida Administration, in addition to which the project work is guided by a steering committee, which includes the Skolt Saami Cultural Foundation and the Skolt Saami Siida Administration, the Ministry of Justice, the Finnish Sámi Parliament, the Sámi Education Institute, the Giellagas Institute of the University of Oulu, Sámi Giellagáldu, the Sámi Psychosocial Support Unit Uvjj and Äʹvv – Skolt Sámi Museum.
