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Sami outrage in Tromsø has received renewed attention after Ann-Marie Dorph was harassed by an elderly woman because she spoke Sami on the bus in Tromsø.
Dorph thinks Saminess is so common, especially in Tromsø, that you eventually get used to it.
– He was very angry. It wasn’t something I expected to happen, but it didn’t surprise me either. It’s something that happens to the Sami in Tromsø, he says.
The campaign takes off
# doarváidál or #noknu, which is the Norwegian version, is the name of the campaign that more and more people share on social networks. To support the campaign against Saminess, you can change the profile photo so that you get a frame with the motto.
– I had to scroll down quite a bit on Facebook to find someone who hadn’t switched to that profile picture, says Dorph.
I didn’t expect so many to get involved.
– My mother posted a post on social media about the incitement I experienced two years ago. It didn’t get as much attention as it does now, he says.
Why do you think that has changed?
– I think we’ve had enough, says Dorph.
Sami’s case in Tromsø has set fire to the comment field on NRK Troms’ Facebook page. One woman recounts how she and her friends were moved when they dressed in cardigans at night, about rude incitement and harassment and other forms of sexual harassment.
About the ridiculous, going out, joking around and “nonsense”.
There is talk of Sami children being beaten by other children to show that Sami children do not tolerate anything.
Call
On Wednesday morning, representatives of most of Tromsø’s political parties turned up at City Hall to make a joint appeal against unity.
The Sami community and the Tromsø Sports Team (TIL) also lined up there.
Dorph believes this is positive while doubting that he is reaching the right age group.
– I think this is great, this has created a movement in the city where we address the problem. But I think it’s important that this reaches the upper secondary schools as they are the next generation. I’m not quite sure if it will be done, she says.
Most Sami in Tromsø
Tromsø has designated itself as an international city and municipality, and it is also Norway’s city with the most Sami.
In 2011, the municipality of Tromsø applied to become part of the Sami language area. The request was withdrawn by the new city council after the elections of the same fall.
– be proud
Former soccer pro Tom Høgli of TIL, who also played for the Sami national team in the 2006 World Cup in ethnic minority soccer, says Dorph’s harassment in the bid is an important reminder that the work of Attitude building should be kept warm throughout the year.
PRIDE IS IMPORTANT: Tom Høgli believes that it is important to know pride in the Sami.
Photo: News Player
– It is terrible that not everyone feels safe and is part of a warm Tromsø. We must stop bullying, racism and harassment, he says.
He says it is natural for TIL to get involved in this matter.
– TIL is a great sports team with many players and a great commitment. We will always have players with Sami backgrounds. They should be proud of that and we should be proud of that. It’s important that we contribute in other venues outside of Alfheim Stadium, he says.
Strong alliance
The leader of the Norwegian National Sami Association (NSR), Runar Myrnes Balto, is very satisfied with the broad alliance against Sami.
ALLIES: The municipality, sports clubs and Sami organizations ally with the Sami Convocations in Tromsø.
Photo: Marita Andersen / NRK
– We encourage the city to support the appeal. They can do this by supporting the campaign on Facebook and choosing a profile image where it says enough is enough. Then you show that you turn around those who have experienced Saminess in the city. It is especially important for young Sami who experience this type of agitation too often.
He agrees with those who claim that there is a culture in Tromsø in which the Sami are incited and harassed.
– I think that as long as there is a continuous problem that never disappears, then we have a cultural problem at the base, which we must take seriously.
Read also:
Jon-Richard (21) was beaten: – Will still wear the Sami cardigan
Renew collaboration
Tromsø Municipality Mayor Gunnar Wilhelmsen says it is important to end all unity incidents. Help create the right attitudes.
– We will probably experience such things again. I don’t think it’s over. Some committees will make statements or come into conflict with the Sami community. So we have to crack down and take it seriously every time it happens, he says.
The municipality of Tromsø will now renew its cooperation agreement with the Sami Parliament. Then the work towards unity will be a natural theme.
– The work of creating attitudes is a continuous process. I hope this gets to people and that you take it seriously and show that you care.
I think there are big dark numbers
Ingrid Sundberg is the leader of the Sami student association in Tromsø.
FEAR OF THE DARK: The leader of the Sami student association in Tromsø fears that many Sami will experience agitation without saying anything.
Photo: Mariela Idivuoma / NRK
– We work hard to create safe settings where young Sami people can meet and be proud of their Sami origin and not experience agitation or embarrassment from walking around in a cardigan or speaking Sami. We have a lot of that, but it doesn’t help when events like this happen. We must crack down on such things and show that it is not right and that we do not accept it.
Sundberg describes the young Sami community as strong and good. But she believes there are more people experiencing agitation without saying anything.
– It’s nice to be a Sami in Tromsø, and many people believe it, but events like this affect a lot. Many do not report, I have heard several examples of this recently. Several have experienced things that they had not told before, he says.
The Sami student association now encourages other student associations to participate in the call and show their opposition to the Sami.
