New chair of Sámi Bálgosat Association Anne-Maria Magga – she wants to strengthen the legal status of Sámi reindeer husbandry

Original text here: Yle

Anne-Maria Magga has conducted extensive research on Sámi reindeer husbandry. This provides her with a strong foundation for leading the association.
The Sámi Bálgosat Association elected a new chair at an extraordinary annual meeting held on Monday, 21 September. Anne-Maria Magga will take over as the new chair.

Magga has researched reindeer husbandry and written her doctoral dissertation on the siida system of Sámi reindeer husbandry. As chair, she hopes to be able to put the knowledge gained through her research into practical use. She currently works as a researcher at the University of Lapland, where her research focuses particularly on Sámi reindeer husbandry.
The Sámi Bálgosat Association was founded in 2018.

Magga believes that during its years of operation, the association has developed into an established and important organization within Sámi reindeer husbandry.

“I think the most important thing for the future is to continue the good work that has already been done and to further strengthen Sámi reindeer husbandry’s own administration. We also need to establish it as a permanent system with stable funding,” Magga says.
Magga hopes that in the future, Sámi reindeer husbandry will be formally recognized in Finnish legislation.
She believes that she has strong knowledge and ideas about how the legal status of Sámi reindeer husbandry could be strengthened. This is something she wants to advance together with the board of Sámi Bálgosat.
“I’m the kind of person who likes working together with others.”
The first chair of the Sámi Bálgosat Association was Asko Länsman. Since 2020, Tiina Sanila has served as chair.
Sanila says that she decided to step down from leading the Sámi Bálgosat Association because her personal circumstances have changed. Nevertheless, she is leaving the association on good terms.
“I have really enjoyed working for Sámi Bálgosat. I have learned a great deal, and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to lead the association for almost six years.”
Sanila says she is confident about handing over the leadership of the association to its new chair.
“I wish Anne-Maria Magga every success in this major undertaking, and I am completely confident that she will do well in the role,” Sanila says.
Sanila emphasizes that the chair is never alone in the role. The chair represents all of the association’s member reindeer-herding districts.

Photo © Anne-Marja Magga