Sámi Áigi

Sámi Áigi was a Northern Sámi-language weekly newspaper established in 1978, providing an alternative to the Norwegian-language Sámi publication Ságat.^[1] Sámi Áigi played a prominent role in building and empowering Sámi identity during the Alta controversy and throughout the 1980s.

Sámi Áigi

Type	Weekly
Format	Tabloid
Launched	1978 (1978)
Language	Northern Sámi
Ceased publication	April 1993 (1993-04)
Headquarters	Kárášjohka, Norway
ISSN	0333-4198
Website	www.minaigi.no

History

Sámi Áigi (Northern Sami for 'Sámi Times') was launched with the backing of the Norwegian Sámi Association, Norwegian Reindeer Husbandry Association, and the Saami Council to build connections among the Sámi of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The new paper was based in Kárášjohka, Norway, but had readers across Sápmi. The development of a pan-Scandinavian Northern Sámi orthography gave additional relevancy to the new newspaper.^[2] Its first issue was published in January 1979, with the following text on the front page: "The time of darkness is soon over. The time of the Sámi [Sámi Áigi] has come".^[a][3] It quickly drew readers away from the more conservative Ságat and within a year of launch the papers had a similar circulation level of about 2,000 readers, and the two papers competed for the subsidy provided by Norway for Sámi media.^[4]

As a primary source of news and information in Northern Sámi, Sámi Áigi was successful in covering increasing demands for respect for Sámi identity and concerns, including during the protests surrounding construction of a hydroelectric power plant in the Alta river in Finnmark.^[4] While the editors of Ságat struck a more conciliatory tone, Sámi Áigi was firmly on the side of the protesters.^[5] The paper provided an outlet for debate and criticism of Scandinavian and Sámi political organizations and was also associated with the ČSV cultural movement.^[6] In 1986, Sámi Áigi sponsored a contest, won by Astrid Båhl, to design a new Sámi flag.^[7]

Legacy

Despite its wide readership and a state subsidy, Sámi Áigi was plagued by economic issues for the majority of its existence. In April 1993, the paper ceased publication and entered bankruptcy.^[4] However, its staff and owners moved quickly to launch a new newspaper, Min Áigi, which published until 2008 when it merged with rival Áššu to form the daily newspaper Ávvir.^[2]

See also

• Min Áigi
• Áššu
• Ávvir

Notes and references

Notes

1. Original quote: "Sevdnjes áigi nohkagoahta, Sámi Áigi boahtan læ"

References

1. Ross, Karen; Playdon, Peter (12 July 2017). Black Marks: Minority Ethnic Audiences and Media. Milton Park, England: Taylor & Francis. pp. 179–183. ISBN 978-1-351-75596-2. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
2. Solbakk, Aage. "Sámi mediahistorjá" [Sámi Media History] (in Northern Sami). Kárášjohka, Norway: ČálliidLágádus. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
3. Somby, Liv Inger (1998). Mediagirji [Media book]. Gielas Gillii Mielas Millii (in Northern Sami). Kárášjohka: Davvi Girji. p. 26. ISBN 8273743551.
4. Dahl, Hans Fredrik (10 February 2016). A History of the Norwegian Press, 1660-2015. London, England: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 296–. ISBN 978-1-137-58026-9. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
5. Lehtola, Veli-Pekka (2004). The Sámi people: traditions in transition. Fairbanks, Alaska: University of Alaska Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-1-889963-75-4. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
6. "Čálalaš media ČSV-áiggis" [ČSV-era print media]. Gollegomppa gáhkkogurpi (in Northern Sami). 30 March 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
7. Aslaksen, Eilif (3 February 2009). "Sameflaggets mor" [Sámi flag's mother] (in Norwegian). NRK Sápmi.