Sami Lives On Display

A new exhibition at the Kiruna Kin Museum of Contemporary Art in Sweden is highlighting the lives of Sami people through the work of Johan Turi, a Sami author and artist who wrote about Sami life in the early 20th century. The exhibition, titled 'On the Ugly and the Beautiful', features Turi's writings, drawings, paintings, and traditional Sami handicraft, which have not been on display for almost 100 years.

Johan Turi was born in Guovdageainnu (Kautokeino), the Norwegian part of Sápmi, in 1854. His family, who were reindeer herders, later moved to Kiruna due to the imposition of formal national borders. Turi's book 'Muitalus sámiid birra' (An Account of the Sami) was published in 1910 and is considered a pioneering work in Sami literature.

The exhibition coincides with the handover of a report by the Truth Commission for the Sami People to the Swedish government, detailing abuses committed by the state against the Sami. The report highlights the ongoing struggles of the Sami people, including racist discrimination, land disputes, and industrial encroachment.

The exhibition features the work of two contemporary artists, Outi Pieski and Johanna Minde, alongside Johan Turi's work. The museum's director, Maria Lind, said that Turi's work is 'about Sami life, small and big – external and inner life'. The title of the exhibition draws from a quote by Turi, who believed that everything, positive and negative, has a place to be shown.

## Why it matters The exhibition and the report by the Truth Commission for the Sami People highlight the ongoing struggles of the Sami people and the need for recognition and reconciliation. The Sami people are Europe's only recognized Indigenous people, and their struggles are a reminder of the importance of preserving indigenous cultures and addressing historical injustices. The exhibition provides a unique insight into the lives of the Sami people and the importance of preserving their culture and traditions.

The exhibition 'On the Ugly and the Beautiful' is a significant event in the cultural calendar, providing a platform for the Sami people to share their stories and experiences. It is a reminder of the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion, and of recognizing the rights and dignity of indigenous peoples. As the Swedish government receives the report from the Truth Commission for the Sami People, it is hoped that the exhibition will contribute to a greater understanding and recognition of the Sami people's struggles and rights.