Sámi Revitalization in the 1970ies

“Åk’ta Sáme Jahki 1975”

Making the first Sámi Calendar in 200 years,

Sámi Activists at work in Oslo Late fall 1974.

Intro

Growing older one perhaps thinks that whatever happened in our younger days automatically become part of common knowledge, which of course is not the case. Now and again I observe that fact witnessed by my own eyes, are not taken into account, even though they should have been regarded as essential to the issues at hand. But the retelling of, for example our recent Sámi history is not first priority in the media, or at best subject to coincidence, prejudice or biased choice. This in turn will not give a complete or balanced account of facts that preceded our own, and made them into what they became.

Experience has the benefit of seeing the unfolding present in relief to not only written history but past experiences that were as realistic to us who lived them, as anything that happens now. Realizing this potential for correction or updating seems not obvious to the younger generation, so forgive me if I take on such a task. Of course that will mean that you get an individual and personal account, but a subjective experience, if the highest degree of objectivity is aimed for, is better than secondhand report, hearsay or distorted rumour. The advantage of a personal retelling, is that it involve not only mere statistic knowledge, which would be “absolute objectivity” to some, but the added personal involvement will make it more interesting and closer to the truth. At least, that is my opinion, and with that in mind, I shall relate how a group of young Sámi activists in the capital of Norway found way to correct the assimilation policy of the Norwegian government, and give encouragement and incentive to a Sámi political and cultural revitalization. Our hearts were burning, and we were eager to take on any task that would fulfill this aim in the best possible way. This is the story of one such task, the first Sámi Calendar in nearly two centuries, “Åk’ta Sáme Jahki  – A Sámi Year 1975”.

Background and initiative

Small portable calendars of wood or bone was common among Sámi families, with each day in the 13 months of the year, chiseled with a mark along the time line, where special days are singled out with individual or special signs. These calendars are equivalents of similar Nordic calendars, which were all made on wood (primstaf). The Sámi calendars were made to fit their own use, and were made on wood or bone plates bound together with leather strings for easy transport, more like “pocket-calendars”, and many of them had 13 rather than 12 months. (See the monograph by Ingalill and John Granlund: Lapska ben- och träkalendrar, Nordiska Museet: Acta Lapponica XIX, Almqvist & Wiksell, Uppsala 1973 ISBN 91-20-04147-0.)

The first calendar printed on paper aimed for Sámi use was made in Stockholm in 1795. To our knowledge there has been none since until our initiative late November (16th ?) 1974 to make one for the coming year 1975.

As an artist under education at the State Academy of Art in Oslo, I was committed to use my abilities and creativity to support Sámi re-vitalization, and by this time was well into another such project, the first map of the whole of the traditional Sámi homeland, Sábmi, which was published one year later. At this time I was active in the Sámi Association of Oslo, where I was member of the board, later becoming the leader one period. I suggested the idea at a board meeting, and the response was positive. The only concern was the short time. By November most calendars for the coming year had already been presented well in time for the Christmas rush, of course. We had the choice to wait one year and make a very good and appropriate calendar, risking the case that others might ‘steal’ our idea and outdo us, or to make a hasty tryout that nonetheless would become historic. I said I would take the responsibility to edit and produce it, if I could get some help, of course, and they agreed. I contacted our friend and the famous leader of the Sámi Association in Bergen, Knut Johnsen who studied to become a doctor, if he would co-operate to make this a joint project, and I was very happy that he said yes to be co-editor. We agreed on the spot to break the news immediately on the Sámi radio, and then it was no way back! Looking back I had been too optimistic as to the amount of work. In those times there was no such thing as computers available. I had one electric typewriter, and it became the main tool for the written and printed texts. I also took responsibility for the layout, and I was satisfied as far as the front pages of each months were concerned, except, perhaps for the main titles and month numbers. I used wood block prints for the illustrations, and wrote the texts with ink filt pen. We used poetry and relevant citations from both Sámi and non-Sámi authors, and made a few ourselves, even one in combination.

In the production team were Sámi who lived and /or studied in Oslo as well as others in the Association, all worked with great enthusiasm to write out, comment, evaluate and eventually translate texts suggestions. Young Sámi students like Nils Johan Klemtsen from Guovdageaidnu, the coming chief of the Sámi Radio, translated the texts into Sámi language, as did Håkon Henriksen, Edmund Grønmo and even University lecturer Thor Frette. Dagrun Danielsen, Inga Sara Eriksen (Inga Juuso) worked in the secretriat, and Ragnhild Nystad joined whenever she had time from her busy work at the Aker Hospital.

The eamwork was excellent, t least grom my point of view, and from the glowing egerness, and sometimes exhaustion of the others, I thing they also enjoyed it as much.

We also had important advice and suggestions from others, especially Aage and Marit Smuk Solbakk, who made their flat at the suburb of Tveita available for our work.

To make the back sides, which all had typewritten texts, more interesting, we included some small illustrations, mostly small photographs and some ink sketches from my archive.

Content of the Calendar 1975

The Calendar was printed under my specifications and supervision at a small printshop at Akersgata near the Art school, in offset and in two editions: One on cream tinted quality stock, and the main numbers on suitable normal offset paper. Both editions used three alternating monocromic coulors: Dark blue-green (front cover, Feb., March, Apr., December and last page) and dark red-brown to suggest the colour of some of the paintings on the old Sámi drums (Jan., May-Nov), partly to suggest the cold and warmer seasons of the year. All the backsides were printed in black. This no doubt enhanced the attractiveness of the product, and probably helped countering its shortcomings.

Although we were in a hurry, the aim was to make as good a product as possible, and many clever minds working together, made that more possible. The illustrations were carefully selected to fit both the month and the texts and citations used simultaneously.  For example the front illustration, “Ja guov’ža vulgii das eret” is from a well-known Sámi tale, about how the Bear lost its long tail. At first glance it is a naïve depicting of a childish story. The Rieban (fox) sits triumphantly laughing at the bear who victim to his trick lost his long tail. Now this is no doubt a loan-story, because an original Sámi tale would not have depicted the bear (God’s dog. -as opposed to the Wolf, the dog of the devil) in a negative way, since the bear traditionally was regarded a sacred animal, so sacred that the word “bear” was taboo and had to be used indirectly “the grandfather” or “the old one in the forest” etc. In any case, the illustration was chosen to suggest a moral that even the fearsome and mighty one can be victim of tricks by a smaller but smarter adversary.

To sum it up, “Åk’ta Sáme Jahki 1975” became a powerful tool to promote Sámi culture, by combining Sámi language, with translations, art, literature, politics as well information and better political and historical knowledge of our Indigenous culture that at this time was wanting among large sections of both the minority and majority populations.

About the translation: Since the translator is the same who typed all, and wrote many of these texts, he has included some factual additions and corrections, where necessary, and slightly modified the wording, at the same time keeping close to the content. Remember that this was written in a quite different time setting, and things have certainly changed since then. However there is surprisingly much that still is relevant even today, perhaps more now than 40 years ago.

Here is the actual content of the Calendar, month for month, translated into local English:

Sámi Calendar for 1975

0A

«Ja Guovža vulgii das eret» (title of the illustration) “And the Bear went away”

Åk’ta sáme-jakki – The Sámi Year 1975

Sámi Calendar

0B

Traditional month (moon) names:

1. Åđđajage-mánno - New year moon

2. Guovva- mánno -

3. Njuk’ča- mánno – Swan moon

4. Gáranas- mánno – Crow moon

5. Cuoŋo- mánno – Goose moon

6. Miesse- mánno – Rendeer calf moon

7. Gæsse- mánno (1) – Summer moon

8. Šnil’ča- mánno -

9. Bår’ge- mánno -

10. Vuot’kit- mánno -

11. Ragat- mánno – Rutting moon

12. Gålgut- mánno -

13. Juov’la- mánno Yule (Christmas) month-

(1):  also Gassa-bår’gi or Gassabår- mánno-

Mær’ka-bæivit:

1. jan:            åđđajage-bæi’vi – New year day

6. jan:            loap’paš-bæi’vi -

2. febr:            gintal-bæi’vi (2) – Candle day

24. febr            Mátte-bæi’vi – Mathis day

25. mars            Márja-bæi’vi (3) – Maria day

14. april            gæsse-bæi’vi (4) – summer day

1. mai             Vál’bur-bæi’vi (5) – Valborg day

3. mai            Ruosmes (6) – Cross mass day

16. mai            boares Ruosmes – Old cross mass day

18. mai            Er’ke-bæi’vi – Erik day

25. mai            Ur’banus (Ur’ban-bæi’vi) (7) – Urbanus day

31. mai            boares Er’ke-bæi’vi (8) – old Erik day

24. juni             miccamár-bæi’vi (jånsut-bæi’vi) (9) – Midsummer day

25. juli            Jagáb-bæi’vi (10) -

24. aug.            Bár’de-bæi’vi (11) -

29. sept            mikkalmas (mikkalmis) – Mihkal mass day

1. nov,             hállamas (hállemis) (12) -

(2):  Dalle jår’gal guov’ža nubbe bællái – Then the sleeping bear turns to the other side

(3):  Gå dalle muot’tá, de šad’dá luossa-jakki – If it snows this day, a good salmong year will be

(4):  Dalle ál’get suv’-ijat, mat læt åvci. Buot dai ijaid gå gal’bmá, de læ gukkes garra giđđa.

Maŋemus suv’-iddja læ Ir’jan. – Then the Suv-nights start, 9 in all. If all these nights are cold, the spring will be long and hard. The last Suv’- night is named Irjan

(5):  Dalle boattá čuonjá – Then the geese arrive

(6):  Dalle ál’gá ál’do guođđit. Val’do- guođđet bis’tá boares Ruosmes ráddjai. - Then the female reindeer gives birth. The main birth-time lasts till Old Ruosmes.

(7):  Urbit ittegåttet sågiide ja sieđgaide. – buds appear on the birch and  x trees.

(8):  Das’sá gal’gá åmiid-bieb’mo bis’tit. Dan dittii ráv’ve áč’či bárdnis: «Bárdnážan, muite boares Erke-bæivi suoi’dne-viŧko!» – Jås man vánis læ åmiid-bieb’mo, de fer’tii almatge ses’tujuvvut dan ái’gái, nu atte juokke šibit oaž’žo viŧkuža-ge, jås ii galga jábmit nælgis; daqsgå dalle læ vis’sásii čoaskis. Gå dat bæi’vi læ mæddá mannan, de ii darbaš æmbu ballat dál’ve-dálkis ja čoas’kimis. –  Er’ke ieš daddjá, gå boattá: «Dál læn mån vel dårkain, muttu Ur’banus, gå boattá, de læn åvta báidis.» -

(9):  Dat læ Bik’kaboal’din-bæi’vi, - čuoi’ka ál’gá, ja bis’tá Jágat ráddjai dahje dan maŋŋelii. -

(10): De båđii laddju-ái’gi. -

(11): Dalle galgašii læt garvis áddjo-bar’go, muttu… maggár dál’ki Bar’de-bæi’vi læš, de læ åbba čak’čii. -

(12): Dalle lávii njázohit. Dat læ gålgut-njácco. -

Bædnat-bæivit (Bædnat-bæi’-bákkat): 23. Juli – 23. áugust. Jås bædnat-bæivit ál’get ar’vin, de loappahuvvujit ar’vin. -

K.N. {Konrad Nielsen}

Sámi gielalávdegoddi lea evtohan námaid jagi mánuide ná: -

Ođđajagemánnu              -            jánuar mánnu

Guovvamánnu             -            februar mánnu

Njukčamánnu              -            márs mánnu

Cuoŋománnu              -            ápril mánnu

Miessemánnu              -            mái mánnu

Geassemánnu               -            Juni mánnu

Suoidnemánnu              -            ju(v)li mánnu

Borgemánnu              -            áugus(t) mánnu

Čakčamánnu              -            september mánnu

Golgutmánnu              -            oktober mánnu

Ridnimánnu              -            november mánnu

Jiegŋamánnu              -            - ” -

Juovlamánnu            -            desember mánnu

1A

Ođđajagemánnu  - New Year Moon, January

Våre fedre før har seiret/ Our ancestors were victorious

  Over dem som urett øvet. / against the viscious evildoers. 

La oss, søsken, også motstå/ Brothers, sisters meet united

  Dem som oss vil underkue./ those who opt for domination.

Sterke slekt med friske tanker:/ Healthy people keep the wisdom:

  Aldri skal du overvinnes/ Never loose the ground of future

Om ditt gyldne språk du vokter,/ guard the golden mother language

  Husker dine fedres tale:/ mind the warning of our fathers:

Sameland for samene!/ Sámi homeland (to) keep intact!

                                  (Sámi soga lávlas)

Isak Saba 1906

Sådnabæi’vi, Vuossár’ga, Maŋŋebár’ga, Gas’kavak’ko, Duorasdat, Bær’jadat, Lávvardat

søndag mandag tirsdag onsdag torsdag fredag lørdag

Sunday,Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, thursday, Friday, Saturday

 “young thoughts – long thoughts “

1672: Olof Matsson Sirma

1B

FROM OUR HISTORY

I 1899 the mining company LKAB was established in Girun/ Kiruna, based on the resources of Girunvárri and Luossavárri, hence L-K- AB. The theft of Sámi resources is evolving on a grand scale. From the Swedish sector of Northern Sámiland 90% of the iron ore rpoduces in Sweden originates. Yet we, the Sámi have no influence over the development in our homeland.

5.1.1834 LARS JAKOBSEN HÆTTA was born. As an 18-year-old boy he was doomed to death for his participation in the so-called Guovdageaidnu-uprising, but the sentence was altered to life imprisonment, due to his young age. He was let out of prison in 1867 and his honours were restored. He translated the rest of the Bible, Old Testament, including some psalms. He wrote about the religious situation of Guovdageaidnu during his imprisonment. He also wrote some hymns. He lived until 17.2.1896

10.1.1800 LARS LEVI LÆSTADIUS was born at Jäckvik, Arjeplog, Sweden. He was mainly of Sámi stock. He was the founder of an evangelical Lutheran movement that carries his name. “Laestadianism was the form of Christianity that mostly appealed to the Sámi, in accordance with their own economical and social situation” (Per Fokstad.)

24.1.1948 The Oslo Sámiid Sær’vi/ Sámi Association in Oslo was founded as the first local Sámi Association in Norway

28.1.1902 JOHN ANDREAS SAVIO was born at i Bugøyfjord i Sør-Varanger. Was orphanazed at the age of 3, and grew up with his grandparents. Had to disrupt his education in Oslo due to tuberculosis. His promising career as an artist came to an end when he was still a young man. His works got common recognition only after his death.

2A

The distance between Sámi and non-Sámi is already there.

You do not make it smaller through denial.

Det er nemlig ved å erkjenne sannheten

It is by accepting the truth as equals

That our common problems can be solved

            HRM

GUOVVAMÁNNO * FEBRUARY

“Ruoššačuđit maidái bårran-ráfi adde – Røver-tsjudene ga iallfall matfred.”

The Ruoššačuđit at least respected mealtimes

2B

5.2.- 9.2. 1918: The Second National Sámi Meeting at Östersund, Sweden.

6.2. 1917: Opening if the «First national meeting of Sámit in Norway» in Troandin/Trondhjem. At this meeting were Sámit representtivet from all regions of Norway, even som Sámi from Sweden. The issue of Sámi common interests across state borders was not well received by the authorities.

13.2. 1825 Mons Somby was born. He was one of the leaders during the Guovdageaidnu uprising that was beheaded by the authorities afterwards. It is 150 years since his birth today.

21.2. 1861 LARS LEVI LÆSTADIUS died.

25.2. 1907 the Sámi authorfrom Gáidun/Kaitum ANDREAS LABBA was born. His book “ANTA” is a novel about the old way of life among reindeer herding Sámi, as he had experienced it. It was followed by the booko “Anta och Marri” which is follow-up story. He died in 1970.

25.2. 1852 there was a court verdict against 22 reindeerherding Sámi from Guovdageaidnu The sentences were very harsh, and the verdict was controversial and hardly legally acceptable. This injustce, added to many others, proves that it was the authorities that provoked reactions that led to uproar and the socalled rebellion that culminated November 8th 1852..

In February 1919 the periodical SAMEFOLKETS EGEN TIDNING (Sámi Peoples’ own periodical) was published for the first time. After a preliminary edition in ovember the previous year.  Torkel Tomasson was responsible editor. It I now published under the tnme Utkommer nå under navnet NYA SAMEFOLKET (The New ‘Sámi people’).

3A

No stranger can sell the land that is loved by our people. 

- nufte –

So strange is the human being that it loves its own oppressor.

Andreas Labba

NJUK’ČAMÁNNO – MÁRS SWAN MONTH

Easter  (Beassážat)

“The rich imagines that the poor lives through breathing alone”

3B

9.3.1968 GUSTAV PARK died, on his birthday, 82 years old. Gustav Park vwas one of the Sámi veterns, and one of the instigtors to the  “Meeting of swedish Lapps” in 1918, and was also instrumental in creating the Sámi Association of Sweden, SSR. Gustav Park was vicar at Glommer-lake, later pastor at Stensele.

14.3.1925 State secretary REIDAR HIRSTI was born at Bonjákas in Deatnu/Tana/Teno. Hirsti was also secretqry of the Sámi Association in Oslo. He has written the book 2en samisk utfordring” (A Sámi Challenge) and a number of newspaper articles. We congratulate him on his 50th birthday!

18.3.1964: Verdict of the local curt of Kristiansund: “The remaining of the old Sámi tame reindeer herd in Trollheimen (that has been destroyed by government initiated massacre 1946-51, added by the editors)  was to be regarded as wild reindeer and subject to the current hunting regulations.”

25.3.1934:the periodial “SÁBMELAŠ” was published 41 years ago on the finnish side of Sámiland.

30.3.1974: Today it is one year since the Sámi newspaper “Ságat” was victim of a coup on the annual meeting in Sirbmá. The editor Odd Mathis Hætta was forced to resign on the spot.

4B

Sámit should not have to explain the legal right to the homeland, rather the intruders should explain what right they have to the land of Indigenous peoples.

Samene skulle ikke være nødt til å forklare sine rettigheter til Sameland, derimot burde de fremmede definere hvilke rettigheter de har til urbefolkningens områder.

Aslak Nils Sara.

CUOŊOMÁNNO-ÁPRIL

“Årro ii boađe mik’ke-ge, muttu dat, gutte jåttá, juoida gáv’dna. Den som farter finner noe”

“To stay in one place does not further intelligence, but the one who travels will always learn”

4B

06.04.1974 The Supreme Court of Norway ruled in the case L46 nr 56/1967 of Riast-Hyllingen area against the farmers of Brekken: “The Sámit of Rast-Hyllingen are allowed to huntnand gather (natural resources) according to their need east of Hyllingen lake up to the Dagvold lake, as is stated already 09.08.1873 and 11.08.1873. The permit also includes fishing in the the Upper Hyllingen lake and also the Dagvold lake.”

Further the Supreme Court ruled in the case L.nr 46B nr 58/1967, thre Sámit of Riast-Hyllingen reindeerherding area against the Brekken farming co-operative, known as the Brekken-case:

“The Sámit of Riast-Hyllingen reindeer husbandry district have during their migration and stay with their reindeer, the right to hunting, gathering and fishing according to an Agreement dated 09.08. 1873 and Border commission records of 11.08.1873. The right to fishing also includes the Upper Hyllingen lake as well as the Dagvold lake”.

09.04.1960: The so-called “Easter-resolution” in Karasjok, where a “mass-meeting” consisting of Sámit moved for a resolution against the conclusions and recommendations of the officially commissioned Sámi Committee of 1959 (Samekomiteen av 1959) with a rather direct and strong expressions, like the following:

“The creaton of the socalled Sámi Committee (Samekomitéen) does not reflect any wish nor demand from the majority of the Sámi people. We will therefore oppose with all means any practical steps intended to conserve the Sámi minority within an organized society of its own in the inner part of Finnmark county (Indre Finnmark).”

History has proved it was not Sámi people who were behind this protest against the improvement of the Sámi society, but foreigners.

The suggestions of the Sámi Committee was accepted by the Norwegian Parliament, and one of its results was the founding of a Sámi newspaper, namely Ságat (News).

10.04.1881: Torkel Tomasson born. E studiet law in order to be of use in the figth for Sámi Legal Rights. He openly declared his Sámi ancestry in many ways, like wearing the national Sámi costume. He joined others in publishing Samefolkets Egen Tidning (The Sámi People’s own Periodical), the forrunner of today’s Samefoket. Tomasson died 07.12.1940.

13.04.1914: The Sámi writer Anders I. Guttorm was born on the Finnish side of Deatnu river.

18.04.1898: A law that forbade the use of Sámi language in schools was put into force by Norwegian authorities.

20.04.1968: Through the so called Alttesjávri case (Altevann-saken) the Norwegian Supreme Court ruled in favour of private rights for some Sámi people in Sweden using the areas on the Norwegian side of the border, according to the season and old time use.

1872: In the spring of this year the Sámi artist Nils Nilsson Skum was born. Well known for his artwork, published in book form “Sáme-Sita” where the everyday life of the reindeerherding Sámit is illustrated through paintings and drawings.

5A

How can people be happy, who lead others into unhappiness? N-n-

HRM “VÁI’BAN ČÆRBMAT” 1973, Tired Reindeerncalf. Wood block print 1973

MIESSEMÁNNO – MÁI

MAY

Pentecost

“Foreign eyes easily find faults”

5B

The exploitation of natural resources I the Indigenous Sámi people’s area has a strong resemblance to Colonialism. Colonialism means here that the naturalresources of an area are more or less consequently exploited for the benefit of another area. Nordic Sámi Council 1959.

1854 In the spring of this year the Sámi writer Johan Olavsen Turi was born in Guovdageaidnu, and died in Cohkiras 1936. His most famous book is Muitalus Sámiid Birra / The story of the Sámit, published through the help of the Danish artist Emilie Demant-Hatt in 1910. The last chapter is abiout the “Wild unknown animals” of Sámiland, that are chasen away from their good old pastires. Only later will the reader understand who these chased “animals” represent.

09.05.1627: The coastal Sámi Qvice Baardsønn was punished to be burnt alive for his alleged supernatural abilities.

10.05.1909: Volmar Holmberg, writer and tranlator of poems and psalms, was born in Nuorgam.

25.05.1974: The Nordic Sámi Institute was officially opened in Guovdageaidnu. Already in the beginning of the1920ies the veteran Per Fokstad launched the thought of such an Insitution, and only 54 years later his ideas were realized. Thanks to hard planning and effort of many other Sámi as well.

26.05.1903: the Sámi scholar Israel Ruong was born. He has had a prolific career. Teacher training college in Luleju, Professor at Uppsala University 1969, Chairman of SSR (Sámi Association of Sweden), editor of Samefolket periodical 1960-73. He has published articles about various Sámi themes, lectures and books, among others Niilas ja su Siida, Samerna, Arktiske Folk and the grammar Min Sámigiella.

30.05.1904: Anders Larsen published the foirst Sámi Newspaper Ságai Mutalæggje (Sámi Storyteller) where he was editor until 15.12.1911

6A

Du volder ikke  m e g  direkte smerte / you are not causing direct pain on me

   Om du forkaster det samiske. / If you ignore your Sáminess

Du gjør meg heller ingen tjeneste / You do me neither a favour

   Om du godtar det samiske. / If you accept it.

Alt hva du gjør / Whatever you do

   Gjør du mot deg selv,/ You do to yourself

Din slekt og ditt folk. / Your kin, and your people

      Knut Johnsen

GÆSSEMÁNNO – JUNI

 “En vind blåser det mot døra alle steder.” “There is a wind blowing against the door everywhere”

6B

02.06.1860: The Sámi activist Daniel Mortensson was born in Verdal, he earned the name “Lapp Chief” due to his unrelenting work for his people. For 6 years he published “Waren Sardne” (Words of the Mountain”). His vision was to collect all Sámit under a common organizational body, so it is not exactly new thought we are still fighting for. Mortensson died 05.09.1924 in Plassje/Røros.

18.6.1872: MATTI AIKIO, Sámi author was born at Karasjok, died 1929.

24.06.1969 the first Sámi political party Sámeálb’mut Listo (The Sámi People’s List) had its nomination meeting, and prepare to take part in the local elections in Finnmark county 09.09.1975.

25.06.1974: The airplane intended to arrive at the Nordic Sámi COnferende at Snoase/Snåsa disappeared in the Bodø area. Among the passengers were 5 of our best Sámi politicians from Finland, Reidar Suomarinne, John West, Arto Sverloff, Uula A. Länsman og Juoni Aikio.

In 1868 Henrik Nils Henriksen of Fanasgieddi caught on a fishingrod a salmon weighing 36,6 kg at Stuorra Geavnjis in the Deatnu river. This is the ølarhest Atlantic Salmon caught until today (as of November 1974!), in other words: a Sám World Record!

In1899 the mining company formed to exploit the iron ore of Girunvárri and Luossavárri was formed 1899 Luossavaara-Kiruunavaara AB (LKAB) in Giron/Kiruna (Girun= ptarmigan; Luossa= salmon). The theft of Sámi natural resources is escalating drastically. From the Sedish part of Sápmi alone 90% of the Swedish iron ore is mined. Despite this fact, theSámit have no say whatsoever over the development of our homeland.

02. -06.06.1975: The annual meeting of the Sámi Association oif Sweden (SSR) takes place.

7A

“To be accused of activism is a great honour for any Sámi” (Knut Johnsen)

Å bli beskyldt for aktivisme er en stor {ære for en same} Knut Johnsen

SUOI’DNEMÁNNO – JULI,  JULY

“The Boy’s mind – the Wind’s mind”

Olof Matsson Sirma 1672

“I shall not be harassed by beardless boys, says the Bear”.

7B

01.07.1972: News that the Norwegian government reverse the decision to allow wild reindeer hunting in the Trollheimen area. {Sámi people who use this area for reindeer husbandry claim that the “wild” reindeer are in fact stray animals belonging to their herds, and this argument seems to have won confidence at last. }

1.7.1972: Det opplyses at Regjeringen (den norske) likevel ikke vil tillate vilreinjakt i Trollheimen.

I begynnelsen av juli 1948 ble NRL (Norges Reindriftssamers Landsfobund) dannet i Tromsø

15.07.1902: Reindeer husbandry is prohibited in Rennebu, Trollheimen.

15.07.1948: A tragic bus accident happened in Lunusvuopmi/Dunderlandsdalen, where 16 Sámi lost their lives. They were returning home from the first meeting of the newly formet Association of Reindeer Herdes of Norway. They were:

Nils P. Jåma, Røyrvik

Lars Per Jåma, -“-

Lisa B. Toven, -“-

John J. Steinfjell, -“-

Else J. Steinfjell, -“-

Åsta Steinfjell, -“-

Jonas Marsfjell, -“-

Bengt L. Jåma, Snåsa

Anna Johnsen, -“-

Nanna E. Vesterfjell, Korgen

Tomas M. Renberg, -“-

Aksel P. Renfjell, -“-

Kåre B. Vesterfjell, -“-

Nils Johan Kappfjell, Maje-jávrie

Anton F. Vesterfjell, Høylandet

Lars M.Toven, Toven

23.07.1900:  Reindeer husbandry is prohibited in Rindal, Trollheimen

In1906 the largest mining company was established in Kirkenes in Sámiland. Before this happened, mainly Sámi people inhabited the area. Today the Sámi society is almost extinct, thanks to the foreign invaders. Thus is confirmed the verdict of an old Sámi: “The Colonists are more interested in the natural riches of Sámiland than its original people.2 Is not this painful facts for us Sámi? That is why it is time that we incrasibgly use our resources on our own premises, and stop such a develo0ment. We are a striong people in good health and with clear thoughts.

8A

“It is the whims of those in power that spells “righteousness2, and nothing else. (Det er de makthavandes godtycke som er rättvisa, och ingenting annat.) Per Idivuoma

BÅR’GEMÁNNO – ÁUGUST

“The net will certainly catch the fish.”

8B

08.08.1916: The poet Pedar Jalvi died 28 years old. He was educated as a teacher , and became the first Sámi author from the Finnish side of Sápmi. His first and only book, published 1915 in Jyväskylä, was called Muottačalmit (Snow flakes)

26.08.1969 was the start of the Sámi Highschool classes in Karasjok

27.08.1970 was a day of destiny for the Sámi village of Máze on one of the largest rivers of the Finnmark plateau. When the Norwegian Communal Committee arrived in connection with the plans to dam the river, flooding the whole village, they were met with protest from the Sámit. Posters and sign with wordings like: “Vi flytter aldri fra Masi”(We will never move from Máze)  “Mennesker eller industri” (Humans OR industry) and “Vi godtar ikke lenger uvissheten.”(We do no longer accept this insecuroity), and “Vi evakuerer ikke en gang til” (We do not evacuate again), clearly hinting at the enforced evacuation of WWII ordered by Hitler in Finnmark authumn of 1944.

On Augsut 15 there had been a preliminary open meeting at the local school against the dammig of the viullage. The Initiators to this oprotest group were: Mikkel J. Hætta, Mikkel A. Gaup, Anders J. Gaup, Nils M. Turi, Ellen Anne O. Hætta and the strategist Trygve Lund Guttormsen. The action succeeded, and the village was spared, but the work continues (as of November 1974).

In August 1974 there was a large convention of Laestadian believers.

In the authumn of 1936 the Sámi Folk High School, run by Christian organisastions opened.

31.08.1953: Nesseby Idrettsforening/The Sports Association of Unjárga was established. They named it Gærgat (to finish, to achieve), but this name was ot accepted by the Finnmark regional group of the Norwegian Sports Association, and they had to do with the prosaic name Neseby IF.

31.08.1924: 22 years ago this day the first Nordic Sámi Conference was convened at Johkamohkki, initiated by the three most representative organisational bodies in each of the Nordic countries: the Lapin Sivistyssseura - Sámi Čuvgetusseärvi of Finland,  Samisk Selskap - Sámi Sær’vi of Norway og Same-Ätnam of Seden. The COnference agreed to estabølish the Nordic Sámi Council, which operated from the 16.08.1956. Nordic Sámi Conference and Council has been vital in maintaining common efforts across national borders.

NUORTTANASTE, a Sámi Christian periodical was published for the first time in August 1898, it also contained information and texts about other matters as well. The editor today is r John O. Nilsen The periodical, which is the only with solely Sámi texts (with its onw orthography), is published from Unjárga (as of 1984).

In August 1975 there weill be held an International Minority-Congress in Montreal, Canada.

9A

Sámi Culture has never been “primitive”.

Our hunting- and gatjering culture was advanced.

K.J.

ČAK’ČAMÁNNO – SEPTEMBER

“Money come, and go, but do not buid a nest”

9B

02.09.1971: The Royal Norwegian Agriculture Department gives permission to hunting wild reindeer in Trollheimen mountain region for the season of 1972, in other words hunting “wild” reindeer on the reindeer of the Sámi!

03.09.1890: Per Fokstad was born. His work has been of great importance for all Sámit of the Nordic countires. He proposed the formation of a separate Sámi Institute for higher research and education. He died December 10th 1973, 83 years of age.

09.09.1971: SámiÁlbmot Listu/Samefolkets Liste (SL), the first Sámi political party took part in the election. Four years ago (1967) SL had the Chairman of Karasjok Municipality, Hans Guttorm.

15.09.1852: Border closure: The finnish/Russian border is blocked for reindeer-herding Sámit. This was a disaster for especially for the Guovdageaidnu-Sámit, because they had traditionally been dependent on the winter pastures across this border.

15.9.1970: Mánaide (For Children), a periodical for S´+ami children, was issued for the first time by the editors of Nordkalott/Sámieana, Per Olav Porsanger of Sirbmá.

17.9.1971: Bergen Sámiid Sær’vi/The Sámi association of Bergen protets in an open letter To the Agriculture Department against the indecency of permitting the reindeerhusbandry area of Trollheimen to become an area of “Wild reindeer area” for hunting. NSR and NRL motion the protest.

ELSA LAULA RENBERG was born in 1877 in Aarporte. Undoubtedly she has beeon one of the most active female fighters for the rights of the Sámi. Despite harsh oppositionfrom Scandinavians, she ,anaged to continue her important work unweaveringly as long as she lived. She was a clever and stopiut representative for our people, and held many respinible positions within the emerging political and other organisations among Sámit..

10A

You can not extinguish a rich cultural heritage and erase an entire people on Nordic lands, and simultaneously wave democratic Angels’ wings vehemently condemning social oppression and cultural discrimination occuring under other skies.

Man kan ikke viske ut en rik kulturarv og utslette et helt folk på nordisk jord, mens man vifter med demokratiske englevinger og iherdig fordømmer sosial nedvurdering og kulturell diskriminering under andre himmelstrøk.

Reidar Hirsti

 GÅLGUTMÁNNO – OKTOBER

“Gal sábmelažža vái’bmo ii lieggan dáža vuostái.”

“Nok varmes ikke samenes hjerte av dážat.”

The hearts of Sámit are hardly warmed by Dázat

10B

1.10.1973: Radio broadcasts in South Sámi language by Anne Granefjell started transmitting from Trondheim, 5 minutes every 4th week, Mondays 3.45 pm.

3.10.1950: The National Sámi Association of Sweden (RSS) was formed. SSR body of members consists of 14 administrative entities (Samebyar) as well as 12 local Sámi associations, who elect repreentatives to the annual General Assembly. Yogether with the Sámi Ätnam Associationm SSR publish the periodical magazine SAMEFOLKET (The Sámi People).

10.10.1780: ANDERS PORSANGER drowned during a shipwreck outside Risør in the south of Norway. He was the very first Sámi to be educated at a University. He became pastor at Cáhcesuolu/Vadsø. He was born in September 1735. 

11.10.1815:  Ieš-Biede (Per Andersson Wasara) was born. He lived until 10.08.1896. He was a well knpown Sámi preacher of the Laestadian Congregation. A commemorial monument was unveiled in Ivgu/Lyngen 1974.

11.10.1854: at 11:00 a.m

Aslak Hætta and Mons Somby were executed and beheaded in Bossugohpi/Bossekop in Alta.

11.10.1965: The first issue of the newaspaper NORDKALOTT, published by Signe and Per Olav Porsanger. Congratulation on the fist decade!

12. – 27.10.1965: Large Laestadian Congregations in Southern Norwaty and Denmark-

15.10.1910: The first issue of the Sámi Newsapaper WAREN SARDNE (Words from the mountain/s), the last 1925.

18.10.1751:

The Border Tractatus between Denmark/Norway and Sweden/Finaldn took effect.  The Lapp Codicill of 1751, a very important Document for the Sámit was published, and interestingly the term “Sámi Nation” became a legal description of our people. However, the document itself, one of two appendices or by-laws dated 21.09. and 02.10. 1751 to the main document stating and regulationg the new border agreed upon between Denmark/Norway, and Sweden/Finland  makes I clear that the border is dividing the Sámi Nation and specioal proviosions has to be agreed uponm to protect and maintain as much as possible of its nationhood as possible, save issuing Statehood in geogrqphical terms. The law allows Sámi reindeerherding people to corss the borders that from now on bar their traditional migration paths and routes. Since they can not have a citizenship of their own, they need to choose either the one or the other, i.e. Danish/Norwegian or Swedish/Finnish. Since most of the reindeerherding Sámit had their longest station in Sweden, many, but not all, chose Swedish citizenship, but nonetheless their rights to the pastures remained regardless citizenship or border.

22.10.1917: KATHRINE JOHNSEN was born in Deanudat. She became a teacher, and has been working with the Sámi radio broadcasts for many years since 05.03.1948. She earned the unofficial title “ The Moter of the Sámi Radio”.

26.10.1903: The birthday of HANS JONAS HENRIKSEN. Born and raised in Fanasgieddi/Båteng by the Deatnu/Teno/Tana river.  He has worked many years a better economic, cultural and social status of our people. He was awarded the Royal Gold Medal of honour by the Norwegian king, as well as the Honorary Price of the Norwegian Culture Council in 1974.

26.10.1905: During the Karlstad negotiations on the abolishing of the union between  Sweden and Norway, the Codicill of 1851 was accepted as irrevocable by both parts.

11A

It is better to listen to the advice of a wise Sámi

Than to swallow sweet promises from foreigners.

nujaha

 “ÁK’KO” 73

RIDNIMÁNNO – NOVEMBER

My beloved homeland is more worth to me than all the money on the world. Inga Sara Eriksen/Inga Juuso}

11B

1.11.1973: Verdict at Jämtbygdens tingrsrätt of the so called “Skattefjällsmålet” , a case of principle importance regarding the legal rights of the local Sámi to use the resources oif their traditional gracing lands of their mountains. The verdict did noit fvour the Sámit and was appealed, and will in any case  be taken up by the Supreme Court.

4.11.1947: The reindeer owners at Trollheimen were forced to accept a government demand to killing 3000 of their animals within a period of 5 months, from November 1947 to March 1948. The shootings continued until the autumn of 1951, thus exterminating the livestock of the traditional reindeer husbandry in this area, a subtle way of driving out the Sámit from an area desired by others, –not unlike the massacres of buffalo herds in North America decades earlier. In 1954 Martin Kant re-established reindeer husbandry with a new flock, and Anders Fjeldner Renander established another herd in 1962. These flocks form the base of the present reindeer livelihood in Trollheimen area.

8.11.1852: The date of the socalled Guovdageaiodnu uprising, originally provoked by the sudden and outright foolish actions of the authorities towards a group of Sámit, who revealed the injustice and its negtive consequences forced upon them. The ‘enlightened’ ones also spoke against sale of strong alchohol, but few of their criticism were taken seripously by the government. In the end the people took to violence (08.11.1852) where two of the foreigners (representatives of the authorities) were killed, namely the liquor merchant Ruth, and the sheriff Bucht, who had a very suspicious background, including embezzlement in Northern Sweden. The government reacted very harshly, and 5 Sámit were sentenced to death by decapitation, 8 to lifelong inprisonment, and 20 to imprisonment with hard labour. The uprising cost 9 lives: Apart from the two mentioned, Rasmus Spein, Elen J. Hætta and Marit A Somby died in prison, supposedly from maltreatment. Marit R. Spein and Ole SOmby were killed during the aftermath. For the murder of the two foreigners, Mons SOmby and Aslak Hætta were executed by axe. But the foreigner who killed Ole Aslaksen Somby has not been identified nor punished.

15.11.1875: Isak Saba was born. Educated as a teacher, he was the first Sámi elected at the Norwegian Parliament (Storting). He wrote the poem that was to become the Sámi National Anthem, Sámi soga lávla, set to music by Einar Sørli, a teacher at the high school of Romsa/Tromsø.

25.11.1973: Arctic People’s Conference opens in Copenhagen, the first Conference for ethnic minorities north of the arctic, Sámit, Inuit, Native Canadians.

30.11.1968: Norgga Sámiid Riikasearvi (The national Sámi association of Norway (NSR) was formed in Guovdageaidnu. Aimed to maintain and strengthen the legal rights of Sámit in Norway, maintain and develop the social, cultural and economic status of Sámit, provide relevant information on issues concerning us, to both Norwegians and Sámit. Johan M Klemetsen of Guovdageaidnu was elected the first chairperson of NSR.

12A

Samiske søstre og brødre!

Det nytter å arbeide for rettferdighet!

Det er vi samer alene som kan føle

Hva som  erbetŧydningsfullt for oss.

Derfor må vi selv arbeide for

Å bevare og videreutvikle

Våre verdier. 

Sámi sisters and brothers!

It is rewarding to fight for righteousness!

Only we Sámit can feel

What is of importance for us.

And that is why we ourselves

Must work to keep and develop

Our values.

 –nufte-

JUOV’LAMÁNNO - DECEMBER

“Čuovgas boagosta sævdnjadasa bargoid. Lyset ler av mørkets arbeid.”

Light is laughing at the machinations of darkness.

12B

2.12.1870: The reindeer owner Ola Pier Uti was born in Buolbmát. In the beginning of the 1950ies he had 6000 reindeer, one of the wealthiest within the reindeer husbandry. He died 10.10.1961.

16.12.1755: The New Testament of the Bible was printed in South Sámi in Sweden through the effort of Pehr Fjellström: “Ådde Testament Same Kiäll puoktetum”

In Norway “Bibal, dahje Basse Čala, mii siste doalla boares ja ođđa testamenta kanonalaš girjid” was published in 1895. Luther’s small catechism was printed in 1757.

During Christmas there are large Laestadian gstherings in Váhzir/Gällivar, and during New Year in Narvik.

29.12.1892- +10.12.1949: ANDERS LARSEN was born in outer Návuonna/Ytre Kvænangen.

Educated as a teacher in Romsa/Tromsø, he was the inititor and editor of SAGAI MUITTALÆGJE from 1904 to 1911. He has written “Om sjøsamene” (About the Coastal Sámit) and the short novel  “Bæi’vi-al’go”.(Daybreak, the firstlitterqature written nd published by a Sámi).

Jule-evangeliet Lukas 2, 1 – 14.

13A

1976 Boatte jakki

Nubbelåkkái ádræssa:

SÁMI INSTITUT’TA,

9525 Guov’dagæi’dno, Norge

NORGA SÁMIID RIIKASÆR’VI

NORGES SAMERS RIKSFORBUND

9520 Guov’dagi’dno, Norge

NORGA BOAZODOALLO-SÁBMELAŽŽAID RIIKASÆR’<VI

Gáranasvuodnabatta – Ramfjordbotn

9020 Tromsdalen, Norge

NUORTTANASTE

9815 Nyborg, Norge

SVENSKA SAMERNAS RIKSFÖRBUND (SSR)

Förbundskanselliet,

Skeppsbron 10,

11 30 Stockholm

telefon 08/10 24 80

SÁMIID VUOR’KA DAVVIRAT

SAMISKE SAMLINGER

9730 Karasjok

SÁMIID AL’BMUTALLASKUV’LA

SAMERNAS FOLKHØGSKOLA

9 60 40 Jåkamåk’ki,

Sverige Tlf 0971-10215

ÁNAR FOLKEHØGSKOLE

Inari, Suomi Finland

SABMELAŠ

Lapin SIvistysseura

Runeberginkatu 51 c

Helsinki 26, Suomi Finland

SAMEFOLKET

Smultronvägen 22, 831 00 Östersund, Sverige

Bladet NORDKALOTT

8250 Rognan, Norge

13B

Sáme-jakki 1975 – Sámi Calendar

Hereby we present a Sámi Calendar for the year 1975. This joint initiative of the Oslo and Bergen Sámi Associations, who also are respionsible for  its publication. Although we have tried to cover as large a scope as possible, it is has to be admitted the unavoidable fact that many of the historical facts mentioned are mainly from the Norwegian side of Sápmi.

The first calendar or Almanac in Sámi language was published 180 years ago in Stiockholm, Sweden under the title:  “Almanacka Jaken autest Lådnestejen Christusen Rägatemen mangel 1795”. (Aa almanac (Calendar) for the year of our ord the Saviour 1795)

We hope Sámi authporities through the Sámi Insitute follow up this idea. We know this is just a beginning, and many names and events have not been possible to obtain due to time limitation.

Now it is up to all of you who use it, to help make it better for the next improved issues. Send suggestions, advice and critique to KALENDER 75, Oslo Sámiid Sær’vi, Poas’tabåksa 5425 Majorstua, Oslo 3.

We wish you all a very good and dynamic new year! Remember, – nice thoights and dreqams alone are not enough for us going forward! By talking alone nothing will be accomplished – gøga ii boade mikkege. If all of us add our good will, we can make the coming year 1975 a real Sámi year!

            for OSLO SÁMIID SÆR’VI             14. December 1974             BERGEN SÁMIID SÆR’VI

            Hans Ragnar Mathisen            Knut Johnsen

«We are Sámit and want to remain Sámit, yet do not claim to be more nor less worth than other people in the world. We are one people with our own homeland, our own language and culture and social structure. Through history we have lived and survived in Sámiätnam, and we possess a culture that we wish to keep and develop further»

From the Sámi Cultural-political program resolvet at the 8th Sámi Conference at Gällivare 1971

© P. HRM 74, 2014

Afterword:

In retrospect the project had the outreach we had hoped for, and more than that. Despite its rather hasty presentation, especially the graphic of the text parts on each backside, the Calendar was received with acclaim and we sold almost all of them within a fairly limited time. The Calendar also woke some opposition, even among some Sámi, but these were exceptions that confirmed the rule. Åk’ta Sáme Jahki 1975 had been a success, and was followed the next years by similar projects elsewhere, as we had suggested and expected.

By this work we also set a standard that has benefited most Sámi calendars since. The inclusion of special Sámi annual occasions and days, old names of months – the traditional Sámi calendar had thirteen months, a Lunar calendar in other words. A unique feature was the Historical page on each month’s back side, “Min Histår’jas (From our History)” with mention of important historical persons and happenings in Sámi history not only in Norway. This was aimed to educate a public that had learnt little or nothing of it in regular schools; it must have been an eye-opener to many. It was the start forwhat now is almost self-evident: Indigenous people writing their hostpory from their own perspective, rather than having foreigners doing it. Another feature is the unusual combination of religious conservatism and political radicalism in the choice of items mentioned in this historical section. At that time religion was firmly established in Sámi society for better or worse. The reason was to include as many as possible among the users, instead of becoming secteric if we had based it solely on either, which the reception it got proved to be a wise choice.

As was stated in the calendar, we were aware of both its shortcomings, especially regarding the print quality of the backsides, and the texts themselves, and that this was only a beginning. We were convinced that this was a project that would continue, and becoming a tool in the ongoing revitalization of Sámi awareness on many different levels. Perhaps overwhelmed by the amount of work it resulted in, and also wishing to pass the challenging task on to others, so as not to be accused of self-promoting as an artist, I declined to take part in the preparations for the next calendar. The following year Knut Johnsen as the leader of Bergen Sámi Searvi took over as editor, and they produced a nice calendar more or less on the same matrix, and with illustrations by the more famous artist Iver Jåks. It was printed in black and white only, on glossy paper, but in the same size and presentation, vertical A4 with plastic spiral binding. Later many other calendars have occurred, and sometimes each year there were several calendars with Sámi themes, reflecting the culture of various regions. There also appeared in North America among the Sámi Americans the “Sámi Spirit Calendar” with Alvin Seaberg and later his son Kurt Seaberg as illustrators and editors. I never ventured into this field of work again, with one exception: The Sámi Calendar of 1983 mainly based on material from Mánaid Meassut in Guovdageaidnu 1981, and benefited by the experiences of our first groundbreaking work in 1974.

Relaterte dokument:

<Redaktør av FINNMARKEN, Vadsø            Jar 23.01.75.

Som svar på omtale av samisk kalender for en tid siden er følgende å si:

Vi som arbeidet med den, hadde svært dårlig tid. Det ble ikke startet før samme dagen som nyheten kom på lufta i Sameradioen, langt uti november. Det ble ikke lest korrektur på manuskriptene. Det merkelige er at det ikke er flere feil enn det er. Flaks, for det kunne vært mye verre. Men jeg må jo bare beklage de feil som jo er der. I første rekke gjelder det hele november måned, som ved en feiltakelse har fått samme dager som oktober. Vi har fått trykt en korreksjonslapp til å lime over. Den vil bli sendt til våre kontakter snart.

At skjærtorsdag og langfredag ikke er markert beror også på en forglemmelse som jeg får ta ansvaret for, og om jeg virkelig må beklage. Likeså 1. mai. Når det gjelder 17. mai derimot, så er den ikke markert, for siden dette ikke er en norsk kalender, men en samisk, så er det vel ikke annet enn naturlig at man utelater 17. mai. Skulle vi tatt med den, så måtte vi jo også tatt med Sveriges, Finlands og Sovjets nasjonaldager, osv. Nei 17. mai har ikke krav på å markeres spesielt i en Samisk kalender, like så lite som den samiske nasjonaldag har krav på å markeres i svenske, finske, russiske eller norske almanakker og kalendrer. Det er derfor det står en naken flaggstang der, for samene har dessverre ikke fått verken flagg eller nasjonaldag, selv om alle fornuft skulle tilsi at de skulle ha det. Det er vel kanskje også en forglemmelse, eller hva herr redaktør?     Jeg synes forsåvidt det er utmerket at det ble reagert på akkurat dette, og nå skjønner man kanskje hvorfor.

Ellers ble jeg faktisk litt overrasket over den positive tone i innlegget, selv om intensjonene med det ikke var lett å skjule.

Salget av kalenderen går bra, og vi vil vurdere å muligens sette opp prisen før den får altfor stor antikvarisk verdi.

<Norga Sámiid Riikasær'vi Norges Samers Riksforbund            Oslo 18.02.76

<Sámi Institutta, Nordisk Samisk Institutt

Ad: Samisk kalender for 1977 og kommende år.

Som kjent tok Oslo Sámiid Sær'vi initiativ til å lage en samisk kalender i 1974 og kalenderen ble gitt ut i samarbeid med Oslo og Bergen Sámiid Særvit med tittelen "Åk'ta Sáme - jakki 1975, Samisk Kalender" og trykt i 2.000 eks. for salg. Også for 1976 er det blitt laget en samisk kalender utgitt av Bergen Sámiid Sær'vi. Knut Johnsen som var formann i Bergen, spurte om vi i Oslo ville inngå samarbeide, men vi måtte svare nei, fordi vi hadde så mye annet, blant annet Sábmi - det samiske kartet. På tross av til dels sterk (og overfladisk) kritikk, ble den første samiske kalenderen  b r u k t  av samene. Det skulle vise at den fylte et behov. Allerede i forordet til den første kalenderen (75) skrev vi at vår mening var at samiske myndigheter burde overta ko-ordineringen av kalenderen for framtiden, slik at man for det første var sikret at det kom kalendre hvert år,  og at det kom én, slik at ikke flere arbeidet samtidig med det, og slik kaste bort tid og krefter. Da kunne man også hindre det hastverkspreg som både den første og den neste kalenderen har fått, på grunn av for kort tid til forberedelsene. Resultatet kunne og burde i begge tilfelle vært mye bedre om man hadde fått begynne tidligere. Da hadde man også kunnet variere opplegget, istedet for å måtte være avhengig av foregående materiale. Årets kalender bærer preg av det. Undertegnede foreslo for instituttet å "ta over" ansvaret for at det ble utgitt kalendre, på den måten at man anmodet eller foreslo forskjellige lokalforeninger, folkehøgskoler osv. å utarbeide manus til kalender. Man kunne oppnevne redaksjon eller diskutere andre former for utgivelse. For både Karasjok Sámiid Sær'vi og Vadsø Sameforening var visstnok inne i bildet som produsenter av 76-kalenderen. Hensikten med dette brev er å anmode Instituttet eller NSR om å ha ansvar for at det blir gitt ut kalender hvert år, og at man "gir i oppdrag" eller anmoder en forening/institusjon/person om å lage utkast eller produsere den. Dette er jo bare en formell sak, som likevel er meget nødvendig, skal man unngå at gnisninger oppstår mellom forskjellige foreninger, som når det nærmer seg tiden i hast begynner å arbeide med saken. Derfor er det nødvendig at man utlyser "anbudet" så tidlig på året som mulig. Dersom verken NSR eller SI vil påta seg dette (Instituttet er her å foretrekke, da dette er en samisk institusjon uavhengig av landegrenser; kalenderen bør absolutt også kunne lages av samer i Sverige og Finland!), kan Oslo Sámiid Sær'vi iallfall midlertidig påta seg det, i og med at OSS var initiativtaker til samisk kalender, dessuten foregår der jo en viss "litterær" rørelse her, i og med at man har ansvaret for å utgi "Sámi Ællin" (heller ikke den vil NSR overta ansvaret for), Oslo Sámiid Sær'vi har helt siden starten hatt egen redaktør. Godtar NSR og SI disse forslag? Det er ønskelig at det kommer klarhet i disse spørsmålene allerede nå, slik at de som eventuelt skal lage kommende års kalender får bedre tid på seg. Personlig kunne jeg f.eks. tenke meg at Samernas Folkhøgskola i Jåkkamåkki ville ta på seg det. Det er viktig å spre dette arbeide, slik at alle samer i alle land kunne føle at dette er deres kalender.

med hilsen for Oslo Sámiid Sær'vi Hans Ragnar Mathisen, red./form. kopi: Bergen Sámiid Sær'vi.