![Sample our Politics & International Relations journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5947/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Politics-International-Relations.jpg"})
Abstract
Drawing on an interactive governance framework, this article provides a critical analysis of the governing system (GS) of Sami reindeer husbandry in Sweden, an indigenous natural resource-based livelihood. Situated against a historical contextualization, and focusing on the relationship between governing images, instruments and action, the study explores how reindeer husbandry is currently governed and how governing has changed over time. In contrast to well-established narratives of increased participation and indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination, this study demonstrates that the governing of Sami reindeer husbandry remains mainly hierarchical and is characterized by inconsistencies. The GS’s elements are poorly fitted internally, there are large differences in understanding between key actors and, over time, only marginal change – in governing structures and meta-images – has occurred. Thus, reindeer husbandry actors appear to be locked out of essential governing functions and locked into a system that is proving hard to change.
Acknowledgements
I thank the anonymous reviewers from whose comments the article benefited greatly. I also thank Elsa Reimerson and Niklas Eklund at the Department of Political Science, Umeå University, for their help and comments. Finally, I extend my thanks to the editors of the journal for their many insightful comments on earlier versions of this article.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. The Sami (also spelled Sámi and Saami) are an indigenous people whose homeland, Sápmi, stretches over northern Norway, Sweden and Finland and the Russian Kola Peninsula. This study is limited to Sweden.
2. Reindeer herding is understood as the daily operational activity of individual and collaborating reindeer herders (cf. Tyler et al. Citation2007). Reindeer husbandry is perceived more inclusively, referring to the possession, maintenance and management of the reindeer herd. While hunting and fishing rights are also tied to reindeer husbandry by legislation (SFS Citation1971:437), this study focuses on reindeer herding as the primary reindeer husbandry activity.
3. Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination is a principle recognized by international law and reaffirmed when Sweden adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007.
4. The Swedish government does not recognize any general Sami ownership of land.
5. According to the responsible ministry, the Department of Rural Affairs (Citation2012), there are 3500 Sami reindeer owners, of whom 2000–2500 are subsistence herders. The total Swedish Sami population is officially estimated at 20,000–25,000, but this number is both uncertain and debated, as it is not possible to distinguish between different ethnic groups in the national registers.
6. Although Kooiman himself does not relate images to discourses, there are many conceptual and analytical similarities. Here, however, the original terminology of images is kept intact and instead expanded in relation to governing orders.
7. Until the 1960s, the Sami were officially referred to as Lapps; a term perceived as derogatory today. The term Sami is used in this article, except in some direct quotations and expressions.
8. Department responsibilities and organization have changed following the election of 2014.
9. Quotes have been translated by the author. Emphasis added unless otherwise stated.
10. However, new voluntary standards for forest certification (e.g., FSC) entail stronger demands than legislation.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Annette Löf
Annette Löf holds a PhD in political science from Umeå University. She conducts research mainly related to governance, natural resource management and indigenous studies with a particular focus on participatory approaches. She has worked as a researcher at the Centre for Sami Research at Umeå University and is currently a senior lecturer in environmental science at Södertörn University, Stockholm, Sweden.