Source: Adobe CC
Sami People in Finland - Europe’s Only Indigenous People
The Sámi people are an indigenous group, and they are the only indigenous people within the European Union. Their homeland, Sápmi, stretches from the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, as well as the Kola Peninsula in Russia. In Finland, the Sámi are not only a cultural and linguistic minority but also a vibrant thread in the tapestry of diversity. Finnish Sámi communities speak three endangered languages: Northern Sámi, Inari Sámi, and Skolt Sámi.Approximately 10,000 Sami people reside in Finland, and over 60 percent of them currently reside beyond their native regions. This trend brings forth new challenges for Sámi-language education, services, and communication. The Sami community inhabits their customary areas in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia, with the overall Sami population ranging between 75,000 and 100,000. Norway boasts the largest Sami population among these countries.
Within the Sámi homeland, approximately 3,500 Sámi people reside, covering areas such as Enontekiö, Inari, and Utsjoki in Finland, along with Lapin paliskunta in Sodankylä. Notably, there is also a “Koltta region” within this territory, home to around 500 Skolt Sámi individuals, near to the Sevettijärvi–Näätämö and Nellim–Keväjärvi villages in the eastern part of Inari. Outside the designated Sámi homeland in Finland, an additional 6,500 Sámi individuals contribute to the rich mosaic of this indigenous culture.
Sámi culture evolves through time while maintaining its traditional roots. Core traditional livelihoods, such as fishing, hunting, reindeer herding, and the unique Sámi handicraft tradition known as 'duodji,' play a crucial role. Additionally, Sámi cultural heritage, expressed through various art forms and traditional knowledge, remains an important part of the Sámi way of life. Sámi traditions and cultural customs rely heavily on the four seasons, animal husbandry and nature religions. Sámi singing “joiku” is a part of their natural heritage.
Livelihoods
Traditional Sámi occupations, including fishing, gathering, handicrafts, hunting, and reindeer husbandry, persist alongside modern practices. These pursuits carry substantial communal and cultural significance, illustrating the enduring connection between nature, culture, and Sámi life. Seen as crucial pillars upholding Sámi languages and culture, these traditional livelihoods are integral to Sámi heritage.
While the above mentioned professions may not have any economic impact and workforce participation, these activities hold profound cultural importance. Beyond mere professions, they are inseparable from a distinctive way of life.
While a notable portion of the Sámi community sustains themselves through traditional livelihoods, a considerable number have embraced modern occupations. My friend is a Sámi language teacher but she currently works for the Finnish social security institute, engaging in servicing customers who speak Sámi language as their mother tongue. Some notable Sámi professionals include politicians, social media influencers, musicians and marketing professionals.
Source: Adobe CC
Joiku
A joik, also known as a yoik, is a traditional form of Sámi music, cherished by the Sámi people in Sapmi, Northern Europe. Performers of joik are called joikaaja in Finnish, joiker in Norwegian (anglicized), or jojkare in Swedish. Initially representing a specific Sami singing style, the term 'joik' in English now broadly encompasses all traditional Sami singing forms. Each joik, as an artistic expression, seeks to capture the essence of a person, animal, or place.
In Sápmi, the joik serves as a unique cultural expression for the Sami people. This deeply personal or spiritual song is often dedicated to individuals, animals, or landscapes, acting as a distinctive signature. Sometimes improvised, each joik reflects a person or place, aiming to bring them to life through music. The Sami use the term "juoigat" in Northern Sami when presenting a joik, highlighting that it's not merely a song about someone or something but an endeavor to embody that person or place in musical form – akin to painting the flower itself rather than depicting it.
Muutamia joikaajia ja musiikkia (some joiker and music )
Welcome to my favourite part of the article, namely music. There are Sámi artist and groups to many tastes and here is a little takeaway for you.
Niiles-Jouni Aikio
Niiles-Jouni Aikio (b. 1947 Inari) is a Sámi singer, dancer and actor, he is one of groundbreaking old timers of famous Sámi people with a media career in Finland. Here you can hear Niiles-Jouni Aikio singing a traditional Joiku song in Levi, Lapland, Finland.
Angelin Tytöt
Angelin Tytöt, nowadays known as Angelit (Aŋŋel nieiddat), is a Finnish Sámi folk music ensemble founded by sisters Ursula and Tuuni Länsman in 1989. The group's roots extend back to 1982 when Eino Ukkonen, the Finnish teacher of Ursula and Tuuni, brought them and classmates to perform at a Sámi festival in Utsjoki. In 1987, they released their inaugural non-commercial tape in collaboration with Mari Boine, a Norwegian-born Sámi singer. See video Angelin Tytöt - Dolla (FIre).
Rapper, Ailu
Ailu Valle, (b. 1983, Kaamasmukka), represents a later generation of Sámi musicians. He is a Finnish Sámi rapper, who initially made his songs in Finnish and English but recently started making music in his native Sámi language as well. He is a teacher by training and feels that by rapping he is also working to revive the Northern Sámi language. See video Ailu Valle - Sáhtán ja Máhtán.
Somby
SomBy is a Sámi rock band from the Finnish side of Sápmi that sings in Northern Sámi. The band was founded in Vuotso in 2004. At that point in time, the band consisted solely of girls. Its line-up experienced some changes in November 2007 when two boys from Inari joined. In 2009, the band won the Sámi Grand Prix with their song "Ii iđit vel". (Grand Prix is the equivalent of Eurovision but among the Sápmi countries (Nordics and Russia). Listen to SomBy: Ii Iđit vel.
If you are interested in other Sámi influencers, I recommend you find information about NIls-Aslak Valkeapää (1943 - 2001), a Sámi writer, musician, composer, visual artist, journalist, actor, and for the most, a nationally and internationally known promoters of Sámi culture.
Traditionally, Joik is sung a cappella, but in contemporary settings, it might be complemented by a drum or other musical instruments. The drum is not to be confused with the Sámi drum which is reserved for solely ceremonial purposes. The joik typically follows a pentatonic tonality, yet joikers have the freedom to incorporate any tones they desire.
Source: Adobe CC
Sámi traditional dress
The Sámi traditional attire stands out as a prominent symbol of Sámi national identity. It has become a significant piece of clothing carrying the history of the Sámi people. The embellishments and overall design of the costume convey a person's origin within Sápmi, and to the true connoisseur, even their social status and lineage.
In Finland, there are five main styles of the Sámi costume: Utsjoki, Inari, Enontekiö, Vuotso, and the costume of the Skolt Sámi. The Sámi costume, originally a folk costume, has consistently been worn, evolving over time from everyday wear towards a more ceremonial attire.
Sámi parliament
Established in 1996 the Sámi Parliament in Inari receives much of its core funding from the Finnish central government, but acts independently to represent the views and will of the Sámi people in Sápmi in areas like education, language, and culture.
⭐ For further reading. Rosa, Community manager for the Norwegian language community has written about Sámi in Norway. 
The Sámi National Day.
Minna, OLS Community Manager – Finnish