A Personal and Creative Journey
Buoris,
Muv namma l Hanne/ Hánná Máreha. Mån lav gåvvådájddár ja mån årov Oslon. Mån lav julevsábme, berraha áhtje bieles.
Embracing My Lule Sami Identity: A Personal and Artistic Exploration
I trace my Lule Sami heritage through my father’s side, yet the harsh legacy of Norwegianization meant that our family lost the Sami language. This state-enforced policy sought to assimilate the Sami people into Norwegian society, sending Sami children to boarding schools where their native tongue was strictly forbidden, and traditional practices were deemed inferior. As a result, language and cultural knowledge were severed across generations, leaving many Sami communities burdened with shame and weakened cultural bonds.
Today, I am reclaiming this heritage by actively learning the Lule Sami language, absorbing oral histories about our culture and its mythological worldview, and integrating these experiences into my artistic practice. In doing so, I seek to restore connections lost to assimilation and to celebrate the profound richness of Lule Sami identity through my artwork. By doing so, my daughters can inherit this legacy with pride, free from the shame my father and grandfather endured. Our Lule Sami lineage stretches back at least nine generations, and I am committed to ensuring this heritage remains a vibrant part of our family’s future.
My Lule Sami Heritage and Ancestral Roots
While my daily life revolves around my studio in Oslo, my entire family, on both sides, hails from Northern Norway, above the Arctic Circle. Throughout my life, I have commuted between Oslo and Northern Norway to visit my family in Lofoten and Narvik.
My great-grandmother, Karen Marie, originated from Drag before relocating with her family to Narvik, where my father was raised. In the accompanying map, the locations marked in red represent the ancestral origins and settlements of my Lule Sami relatives in Tysfjord. These locations include Ajluokta/Drag, Helland, Måsske/Musken, Vuodnabahta/Hellemobotn, Lasluokta/Lossvika, Tjårro/Tjårrnes, Oaffe/Kjøpsnes, Gásluokta/Kjøpsvik, and Ráhtáluokta/Fredagsvika. My lulesami family has resided in these areas since at least the 1700s.
Overcoming my family’s lingering shame took time. Only in adulthood did I begin to fully acknowledge my Sami heritage, registering in the Sami census and voting in Sami elections. I’ll never forget my father’s pride when I embraced our long-suppressed identity, which also encouraged him to come forward. Many years later, I started learning Lule Sami, gaining deeper insight into our cultural heritage and the linguistic nuances that don’t easily translate into Norwegian.
At the Sami House in Oslo, I attended an introductory course in Lule Sami, which sparked my motivation to continue. For me, learning Lule Sami is a challenging yet rewarding journey that takes time. The language has a fascinating complexity, and mastering verb conjugations requires patience and dedication. At the same time, it gives me a meaningful connection to the culture, history, and ways of life of my ancestors—something my father lost. As I delve into traditional crafts and the spiritual aspects of Sami culture, I feel I am breathing new life into our heritage. My training in Sami shamanism has been passed down through oral tradition from the noaidi Eirik Myrhaug Partapuoli. This work is not only about me; it’s about creating a strong cultural connection, a sense of identity, and a pride that my daughters can carry forward in their own lives.
Celebration of Sami National Day, February 6, 2024
Celebration of Sami National Day, February 6, 2024
Vourbbe sámij álmmukbiejvijn!
This year, we had the honor of taking part in the official Sami National Day celebration at Oslo City Hall—an occasion that felt both solemn and uplifting. It was especially meaningful because one of my daughters could join in, making the public recognition of Sami culture all the more significant for our family.
Gåvvådájdda
Frequent visits to my family in the north have cultivated an artistic duality in my practice, contrasting the energy of urban life with the raw, untamed wilderness. The promise of traveling to Northern Norway always fills me with joy, prompting me to return as often as I can for creative renewal. The sound and scent of the vast ocean invigorate my spirit, while my deep connection with nature, the mountains, and the sea offers a profound wellspring of inspiration that resonates at the core of my work.
An updated gallery is currently being developed