Norway’s Apology to Indigenous and Minority Groups for Assimilation Policies
- November 27, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
Norway’s Apology to Indigenous and Minority Groups for Assimilation Policies
Sub : IR
Sec: Places in news
Why in News
- Norway’s Parliament recently issued an unreserved apology for its century-long assimilation policies toward the Sami, Kvens, and Forest Finns. This move follows the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2023 report and marks a significant step toward addressing historical injustices.
Who Are the Sami, Kvens, and Forest Finns?
About Sami People:
- Indigenous people of northern Europe, spanning Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Number approximately 1,00,000, with Norway hosting the largest population.
- Known for reindeer herding, a practice protected as an exclusive Sami right in Norway.
- Speak three languages: North Sami, East Sami, and South Sami, part of the Uralic language family.
About Kvens:
- Descendants of Finnish migrants from the Torne River Valley. Historically engaged in slash-and-burn farming, fishing, and blacksmithing.
- Kven language, a Finnic tongue, was recognized as an independent language in Norway in 2005.
About Forest Finns:
- Descendants of Finnish immigrants who migrated to Norway in the 1600s via Sweden. Practiced traditional slash-and-burn agriculture and maintained distinct cultural practices.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
- Launched in 2018 to investigate historical injustices against the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finn communities.
- Aimed to address the effects of Norwegianization policies and propose measures for reconciliation.
- Study the assimilation policies and their impact on indigenous and minority groups.
- Develop recommendations for preserving cultural heritage and promoting inclusivity.
- The report highlighted the loss of language, cultural suppression, and socio-economic disparities faced by these groups.
Recommendations:
- Establish a centre for reconciliation work.
- Preserve indigenous and minority languages through language training and integration into education.
- Foster measures to prevent prejudice and harassment against these communities.
- The findings prompted an unreserved apology from Norway’s parliament to Sami, Kven, and Forest Finn communities on November 11, 2023.
- A set of 17 resolutions was adopted to address historical and current challenges.
- Similar commissions are underway in Sweden and Finland, focusing on the Sami people’s experiences, with reports expected soon.