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The Sámi are an indigenous people of northern Scandinavia and Russia with their own distinct language and culture that differs from the Scandinavian populations around them. They matter because they represent an important indigenous group in Europe whose traditional way of life and cultural identity have been historically marginalized and continue to require recognition and protection.
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The Sámi ( US: /ˈsɑːmi/ SAH-mee, UK: also /ˈsæmi/ SAM-ee; also spelled Sami or Saami) are the traditionally Sámi-speaking indigenous people inhabiting the region of Sápmi, which today encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and of the Kola Peninsula in Russia. The region of Sápmi was formerly known as Lapland. Historically, the Sámi have been known in English as Lapps or Laplanders. However, these terms are regarded as offensive by the Sámi, who prefer their own endonym, e.g. Northern Sámi Sápmi. Their traditional languages are the Sámi languages, which are classified as a branch of the Uralic language family.
Traditionally, the Sámi have pursued a variety of livelihoods, including coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. Their best-known means of livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding. As of 2007 about 10% of the Sámi were connected to reindeer herding, which provides them with meat, fur, and transportation; around 2,800 Sámi people were actively involved in reindeer herding on a full-time basis in Norway. For traditional, environmental, cultural, and political reasons, reindeer herding is legally reserved for only Sámi in some regions of the Nordic countries.
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Ethnic groups in FinlandEthnic groups in NorwayEthnic groups in RussiaEthnic groups in SwedenFinno-Ugric peoplesIndigenous peoples of EuropeIndigenous peoples of European RussiaIndigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far EastModern nomadsNomadic groups in EurasiaPastoralistsSámi peoples