Representing the Indigenous Sámi in Norway and Sweden – Who should be Entitled to Participate in the Sámediggi Elections?

As a result of Sámi political mobilisation, among other things, a Sámi popularly elected body – Sámediggi in Northern Sámi – has been established in Norway, Sweden and Finland respectively. In each country, the establishment of the Sámediggi introduced a need for some kind of delimitation: who are entitled to vote, and who are not? While the decisions were based on processes that included both state representatives and the Sámi themselves, the issue of enrolment criteria has continued to be a topic of interest and controversies – both among those enrolled and others. This includes to what degree each enrolment should be subject to thorough examination with respect to the objective criteria related to Sámi lingustic connection. It also includes whether spouses should be allowed to vote. Based on survey data from 2013 this paper examines and compares current opinions on such matters among enrolled Sámi in Norway and Sweden.