The Sami Truth Commission, which the previous government decided on, began its work in August – despite the fact that one of the chairs was vacant.
Two of the members dropped out before the start, and only one replacement has yet been appointed. Right now, there is no one who is knowledgeable about reindeer husbandry, according to Anders Kråik from the Sami-Sámit party.
Academic bias
"It's very important that we get different categories of saignants. Together they become a whole. It takes someone with a good knowledge of reindeer husbandry and the historical conditions of the Sami," says Kråik.
Together with three other opposition politicians in the Sami Parliament – Per Olof Nutti, Christina Åhrén and Marita Stinnerbom – he has written to the chairman of the steering group requesting an extraordinary meeting where the issue will be discussed. Right now, the Commission has a bias in the academic direction, according to them.
All about trust
"The commission's mission is to investigate abuses committed by the state against the Sami. A large number of interviews should be conducted. If people are to dare to talk about their life situation, they must meet someone who understands and not have to explain the background from scratch, says Anders Kråik.
The letter was sent a few days ago to the chairman of the steering group, Marie Persson Njajta. SVT Sápmi is looking for her for a comment.