Máret Ánne Sara on the Contract Between Humans and Reindeer | Tate
Why It Matters
Understanding the Sámi reindeer contract reveals how policy misalignments can jeopardize indigenous livelihoods and Arctic sustainability, urging culturally informed regulatory frameworks.
Key Takeaways
- •Reindeer central to Sámi philosophy, sustenance, and identity.
- •Ancient contract: reindeer provides meat, humans ensure protection.
- •Duodji honors materials, using every part of the animal.
- •Modern Western regulations clash with traditional reindeer stewardship.
- •Spiritual bond persists despite modernization of herding practices.
Summary
Máret Ánne Sara explains that the reindeer is not merely livestock for the Sámi people but a cornerstone of their philosophy, daily life, and survival. She frames the relationship as a sacred contract rooted in ancient tales, where the animal offers its meat and resources while demanding protection, a dignified death, and total utilization by humans. The interview highlights three core promises of this contract: the reindeer supplies abundant meat, the human must safeguard the herd and ensure a clean death, and every part of the animal must be used, a practice embodied in the traditional craft of Duodji. Sara emphasizes that reindeer herding, even as it modernizes, remains intertwined with spiritual and physical needs, especially in the harsh Arctic environment where alternative food and material sources are scarce. She cites vivid imagery, noting, “as long as you can still hear the heart of the young doe beating in the ground then we have a future still,” and stresses that “the reindeer promises the human all the meat… in exchange it requires the human being to protect it and to give it a clean death.” These quotes illustrate the deep reciprocity and reverence that guide Sámi stewardship. The discussion underscores the tension between indigenous practices and contemporary Western legislation, which Sara argues threatens the logical and ecological balance of the contract. Recognizing this relationship has implications for policy makers, investors, and NGOs aiming to support sustainable Arctic economies while respecting indigenous rights and cultural heritage.
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