Börje and Stig Salming have been in the village of Salmi, north of Torneträsk, since childhood.

They have known about their Sami roots, but recently it became important for Börje Salming to tell that he was Sami.

It has also been important for them to support the Sámi in various processes.


Among other things, both were involved in the negotiations in the Svea Court of Appeal in 2019 when Talma Sami village had sued the Swedish state for the extension of the reindeer herding convention between Sweden and Norway from 2002 to 2005.

- Being present and supporting felt very real to both of us, says Stig Salming.

Badly affected by racial biology

During the fall of 2020, SVT accompanied the Salming brothers to Salmi.

In the program, Börje Salming told what his Sámi background meant to him and how upset he was when he heard about the racial biologists' treatment of the Sámi in the family.

One of those who was measured and photographed was their grandfather.

- My roots are so important.

You didn't understand that when you were younger, but the older you get, the more important the roots become, said Börje Salming at the time.

- I am incredibly proud of my background, I can say that, said Stig Salming.

The village of Salmi means a lot

In 2022, Börje Salming became ill, he suffered from the incurable disease ALS and the course of the disease progressed quickly.

On November 24, 2022, Börje Salming passed away, aged 71. 

SVT met Stig Salming and Börje's eldest son Anders Salming in the winter of 2022. Anders says that the small village of Salmi means a lot to him and his family.

In Salmi, he got closer to his Sami family and began to think more about his Sami background.

- Dad and Stigge's generation have felt pride in the origin and they have passed it on to us, says Anders Salming and continues.

- I usually say that I am Sami, but it still creates a kind of doubt.

Proud to be Sami

Anders Salming believes that when they have not been brought up with reindeer herding, he has felt hesitant to say that he is Sami because he has never had reindeer.

But recently he has understood that it is okay.

- I am Sami, I can say that with pride, says Anders Salming.

The documentary "Salming - the Sami from Salmi" is shown on Thursday in SVT 2 at 19:00 and also on SVT play.