Changing States, Changing Sámi? Framing the state and the Sámi in studies of history in Finland and Norway, 1923–1954

Abstract

This chapter discusses the ways in which the Sámi and their host states were framed during the final phase of Lappological research (1923–1954). Was the state still the only source of legitimate historical knowledge in studies of the history of the Sámi during this period? Did the subject positions of the Sámi change? Selected works by Väinö Tanner, O. A. Johnsen, Gutorm Gjessing and Helmer Tegengren are organized in pre- and postwar cohorts and compared with one another. At the end of the time period studied, the dominant frame was still the state, both as a source of historical information and as the guiding agent framing Sámi history. The subject positions of the Sámi had changed only slightly. They remained in the position of the weakest non-state actor. The evolutionary and racial frames had almost vanished from the studies, and past state policies were coded as ‘unfortunate.’ These shifts were intended in the first instance to construct a more benign state, rather than empowering the Sámi; their emancipation into having a full voice in research was hindered by many residual pre-war discourses.