The primary mission of the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission is to listen to the Sámi people, individuals, and groups. The Commission aims to raise awareness of the Sámi as Finland's indigenous people and strengthen the realization of Sámi rights in Finland.
The work of the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission has finally begun this autumn in Finland. What does it mean, and how does it relate to Finnish art institutions? Baltic Circle Festival has invited the commission to present its political mandate and discuss the role of art institutions in the reconciliation process.
Programme
16:00 On Being a Peacemaker
Baltic Circle Festival’s Artistic Director Hanna Parry
16:10 Introduction of the Mandate and the Commission
Commission’s Chair Hannele Pokka
16:25 Truth and Stories as Part of Trauma Processing
Project Manager of the Sámi Psychosocial Support Unit Uvja, Heidi Eriksen
16:40 What Does Reconciliation between Nations Mean Politically and Culturally?
Mediator and Conflict Resolution Professional Miriam Attias
16:50 What Future Does Truth and Reconciliation Work Build?
Secretary-General of the Commission Ulla Aikio-Puoskari
17:00 The Role of Art Institutions in Promoting Reconciliation
Curator, Expert on Art World Structures Taru Elfving
17:15 How Can Art Institutions Support the Commission’s Work? – Panel Discussion
Pokka, Eriksen, Elfving
17:30 Audience Questions to Speakers
18:00 The Event Ends
In addition to the public discussion, Baltic Circle organizes a workshop for art institutions, with the aim of dismantling structural discrimination and seeking concrete forms of reconciliation work.
According to the Finnish Government, the institution of truth and reconciliation commissions has its roots in the 1970s. Internationally, truth commissions or truth and reconciliation commissions are processes that examine collective injustices in history. The Sámi Truth and Reconciliation process finally began this autumn with the hearing of the Sámi people, and the truth and reconciliation report is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The public discussion introduces the truth and reconciliation commissioners and their mandate, and asks how the truth affects Finland’s identity and historiography. What are the new narratives that reconciliation requires, and what is the responsibility of art institutions in spreading them?
The events are realized in cooperation with the Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute (FINNO), Nordic Culture Point and the Goethe Institut Finnland.