Saami Facts Total Population 35,000 Arctic Homelands Russia, Sweden, Finland, and Norway Origins Asia, 10,000 years ago Languages Saami Traditional Activities Reindeer herding, hunting, farming, crafts Religion Animistic & shamanstic Did you know? Often referred to as Lapplanders from the Finnish 'lappalainen,' Saamis prefer their own name for themselves. The Saami have their own flag which was officially acknowledged in the 13th Nordic Saami Conference in 1986. Although the same basic European colonialistic thinking was also common in Lappland, the attitude towards the Saami has never been as inhuman as it was in many colonies elsewhere in the world. Saami art at present is undergoing an important period of creativity - this applies to music as well. The traditional Saami folk song, the joik, has won increasing recognition and interest.

The origins of the Saami people are still uncertain, but they may be some of the oldest postglacial inhabitants in the region. Originally living as hunters, gatherers, and fishing people, many Saami became pastoralists by the Middle Ages and domestic reindeer herding remains their most distinctive occupation. It is not uncommon today for reindeer herders to be seen in their traditional tasseled hats and brightly decorated tunics. Today, however, reindeer herding is increasingly carried out with the help of modern technology, such as snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and helicopters, and in many cases as a business enterprise rather than as a subsistence activity.

Saami people have always settled thinly in a large area, making their living mostly by herding, hunting and fishing. Different Saami cultures have been formed both by different surroundings and living conditions and varying contacts with the dominant cultures. Most Saami today dress like other Europeans and live mostly in permanent houses and communities rather than in the tents and camps of their seasonal herding migrations. Many Saami also live in fishing communities along Arctic coasts and inland waters. Others have lived for generations as settled farmers or are now employed in the mining or forestry industries often in combination with traditional livelihoods.

The Saami diet reflects the natural resources in the region. Coastal Saami have a diet high in fish, especially cod, and marine products. Fjord Saami eat some fish, most likely from local stocks, and also farm produce. Inland Saami consume large amounts of reindeer meat, as well as some freshwater fish. Farmers consume large amounts of lamb meat.

Of concern to many within the Saami community are the increasing environmental impacts of the mining, timber, hydroelectric, and petroleum products industries. Both historically and today, conflicts over sustainable land use are common.

Traditional Saami religious views were animistic by nature, with shamanistic features. They believed that all objects in nature had a soul.