Resource exploitation in Sápmi has a long history. Since the 17th century, industrialists and investors have turned to the north to cope with various crises. In early modern times, it was a matter of obtaining capital for the consumption of the new global commodities of the time. Today, it is a matter of what is commonly referred to as green transition.
The discovery of silver at Násavarri/Nasafjäll and copper at Svappavaara/Svahpavarri in the early 17th century opened up northern Sápmi to mining, the establishment of mills and marketplaces, but also to the first wave of tourism and cultural exploitation of the area. The economic boom of the 17th century was followed by a recession in the industrialisation of northern Sweden, but it served as a clear foundation for the exploitation that gained momentum in the 19th century and is therefore significant for our society today.
Jonas Monié Nordin is a professor of historical archaeology at Lund University and conducts research on resource colonisation in Sápmi during the early modern period. In 2020, he published the award-winning book The Scandinavian Early Modern World, which places Scandinavian colonialism in a broader global context. Jonas is also a member of the Truth Commission for the Sámi People.
The talk will be held in Swedish.
