Sámi Cultural Properties of the Numbers Three and Four

Abstract

<i>English abstract</i>: The mathematics curriculum for Sámi students in Norway is a mere translation of the national curriculum text. This article aims to contribute to the discussion of the need for a Sámi mathematics curriculum. The study identified cultural properties of numbers in Sámi traditional knowledge. Traditional school mathematics and the national mathematics curriculum do not discuss the cultural properties of numbers. Modern Sámi institutions aim at relating to traditional knowledge. We present founding documents and the logo of two Sámi institutions for education and research. The study investigated these documents with respect to how the numbers three and four occurred, and we describe cultural properties of these two numbers. We indicate that studies of other parts of Sámi traditional knowledge will reveal more cultural properties of the two numbers, and that investigations of other numbers will reveal further cultural properties. Thus, we conclude that there is a need for a Sámi mathematics curriculum that encompasses the cultural properties of numbers.

<i>Čoahkkáigeassu</i>: Matematihkka oahppoplána Sámi ohppiid várás lea dušše sámegillii jorgaluvvon našunála oahppoplána. Dán artihkkala áigumuš lea doarjut dárbbu sierra sámi matematihkka oahppoplána divaštallama. Dan dutkamis bohtet ovdan kultuvrralaš iešvuođat loguin mat gullet sámi árbedihtui. Dábálaš skuvla matematihkka ja našunála matematihkka oahppoplánain ii leat sáhka loguid kultuvrralaš iešvuođaid birra. Ođđaáigásaš sámi ásahusain lea ulbmil váldit vára sámi árbedieđus. Mii guorahallat guovtti Sámi oahppo- ja dutkaninstitušuvnna dokumeanttaid ja dovdomearkkaid (logo). Mii dutkat dokumeanttaid ja logoid dainna ulbmiliin movt logut golbma ja njeallje leat boahtán ovdan ja mii čilget dán guovtti logu kultuvrralaš iešvuođa. Mii mearkkašit ahte dutkat eará osiid sámi árbedieđuid fuomášahtášii eambbo kultuvrralaš iešvuođaid. Danne mii loahpas árvalit dárbbu Sámi matematihkka oahppoplánii mii sisttisdoalašii loguid kultuvrralaš iešvuođaid.