Niillas Holmberg/Jenni Laiti/Outi Pieski
b. 1990, Ohcejohka (Utsjoki), Finland; lives in Ohcejohka (Utsjoki), Finland /
b. 1981, Aanaar (Inari), Finland; lives in Jåhkåmåhkke (Jokkmokk), Sweden / b. 1973, Helsinki, Finland; lives in Ohcejohka (Utsjoki) and Numminen, Finland
Niillas Holmberg is a Sámi poet, musician, actor and activist. For many years he has been involved in several movements against the exploitation of nature, such as mining, in the traditional Sámi areas. Jenni Laiti is a Sámi activist, artisan and artist who also works with the Sámi language. Laiti’s artist-activist work comprises culture jamming, direct action, performance and community art. Her work deals with colonialism, decolonialism, indigenous rights, traditional Sámi knowledge and climate solutions. Outi Pieski is a Sámi visual artist. Her paintings and installations deal with the Arctic region and the interdependency of nature and culture. Her work combines the Sámi handicraft tradition of duodji with contemporary art and open conversations about Sámi people within transnational discourses.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Rájácummá – Kiss from the Border, 2017–18
Environmental community artwork, 8 photographs, 110 × 160 cm, 110 × 160 cm, 110 × 150 cm, 110 × 110 cm, 110 × 130 cm, 110 × 150 cm, 110 × 245 cm, 110 × 110 cm, and 1 lithograph (printed in Helsinki Litho), 56 × 50 cm
Rájácummá – Kiss from the Border consists of eight lines of poetry placed in the Deatnu River valley, at the border between Finland and Norway. The work deals with self-government by local Sámi people and issues concerning the use of land and waterways. Rájácummá proposes equal status for nature and people based on reciprocity and respect. Life and mobility in this model are based more on sustainable co-existence and the features of the region than on national borders.
land is the question, the answer is land
scoop the water along the stream, cut the branches along the grain
let the river be the bridge
clean water, the sacred song
lucky feather as an amulet
blessing
only take what’s needed
the answer is land
gažaldat eana, vástádus eana
álo álmmastit miehterávdnjái, miehtemurrii álo njáskat
johka ieš min šaldi
buhtes čáhci, sáivaluohti
leavvedolgi várjalussan
buressivdnádus
váldit dušše maid dárbbaša
vástádus eana
Moratorium Office: advisory service for decolonialist self-determination, 2018
Installation
In collaboration with the Ellos Deatnu! group
Solutions for ending colonial power
Is colonialism causing you problems? Does some anonymous official decide how your land should be used? Is some stranger ruling over your native lands and fishing waters? Are you forced to pay unreasonable maintenance and use fees to the government for using your own land?
Don’t worry! We have a solution to your troubles: a moratorium! By declaring a moratorium, you can finally take control. Nobody knows your native lands like you and your community do. So why not decide for yourself how to use and manage it? A moratorium will ensure that not only your community but also your land will get fair treatment. The Moratorium Office is a decolonialist self- determination service.
We will help you take control of your land and advise you to the best of our abilities on how to resist colonialist oppression. We offer an easy-to-use moratorium kit and more information at moratoriadoaimmahat.org.
RELATED PLATFORMS