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Description
This paper focuses on how outdoor activities for children and youth at Sàmi/indigenous festivals in North Norway might contribute to the development of a holistic intersectional cultural understanding and decolonization processes. Through indigenous paradigm and methodology (Koukkanen, 2000; Smith, 2010), we highlight how Sami/indigenous holistic ethnic identities are expressed through various activities offered to children and youth for example at the Mánáidfestivála (children's festival) at the Riddu Riđđu festival. The festival activities are described to increase the knowledge about institutional importance of indigenous peoples' festivals both for Sàpmi and for the majority communities in large. Sàmi and other indigenous festivals have been crucial in the revitalization of indigenous cultures, and here the various activities for children and young people are of great importance. Methods used are a long-term fieldwork in the period 2009-2019, including data from documents, field conversations, observation notes, and 42 in-depth interviews from various Sami/indigenous festivals. The indigenous festivals, i.e. Riddu Riđđu proves to be an important arena for highlighting and revitalizing Sàmi and indigenous cultures (Viken, 2013), and solidarity is expressed holistic and through partnership (Skogvang 2020) where aspects such as gender, age, ethnicity and nationality are intertwined.
Key words: Sami and indigenous festivals, decolonialization, children’s activities, outdoor life, indigenous paradigm
