Sámi Self-determination - A "Breaking in" Perspective

Sámi Self-determination in Norway is developing within a unitary state and without a specific "Sámi" territory. The paper will discuss self-determination based on a "breaking in"-perspective. In Norway the Sámis do not have their own territory, but live mostly as minorities among the majority population. The Sámi parliament has actively been demanding a formalized position within the public decision-making processes. This has resulted in the integration of Sámi rights in formal regulations. I call this a "breaking in" perspective where the parliament' aims are to broaden its own authoritative position on the output side of politics. In this paper I will outline the characteristics of the "braking in" perspective on Sámi self-determination. This will be done by using a governance approach, emphasizing interaction between structures and hierarchies and how political institutions communicate on a more equal basis through negotiating complex issues in non-hierarchical exchanges between institutions.