County Administrative Board: Today, people would probably have done differently

The authority, the current county administrative board, is questioned by Vapsten's Lappby in connection with the case in Lycksele district court. During the trial, Lapbyn's lawyers will criticize the way the Agricultural Board, which later joined the county administrative board, acted in the 1970s, when Vapsten Sami village was granted status as Sami village, while Lapbyn, did not receive the same recognition.

- They then made an assessment of which had the best conditions for running reindeer husbandry. Then it was appealed by those who were not allowed to form a Sami village. A review was done where you lost, says Björn Jonsson.

He adds that in recent years, the county administrative board tried to mediate between the parties and come to a solution to the conflict, but failed. The parties have simply stood too far apart, is the authority's assessment.

But is it possible that there may have been something wrong on your part earlier?

- During the 1970s, you mean. I can't say other than that it might have done differently. But I do not know.

Do you see that you could have avoided the situation in any way?

- I think it would have been possible to do something, but based on the conditions that prevailed then. But certainly more people could have been lifted into the current Sami village. That is my personal assessment, says Björn Jonsson.

The County Administrative Board awaits the verdict and then gets clear on how to act.

- It is clear that we follow this goal and see the outcome of it because it is of great importance to the Sami in the area. For the current Sami village, but also for those who would like to participate in the Sami village. Then we get to see what things need to be handled in the future, but we have no idea now, says Björn Jonsson.