Last Yoik in Saami Forests (part 6 of 6)

Ohjaajan päivitetty versio google videossa (suomeksi): http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4456655809390251694

The Finnish state-owned company Metsähallitus is logging the northernmost ancient forests in areas inhabited by the Saami people. The Finnish state has not been able to prove its legal ownership of these forests. These logging activities cause remarkable harm to reindeer herding by destroying winter grazing areas.

The documentary questions the responsibility for Saami culture and northern ecology, but also critically questions what kind of activity is acceptable for these slowly growing northern pine trees.

Director Hannu Hyvönen, began working on this documentary in the spring of 2005 when Greenpeace set up a "forest rescue station" in Inari.

-One shock for me while making this film for the way of this wood is used. Most of the wood is used for pulp and paper and the most value added-product of old pine stock is used to make railway ties, says Hannu Hyvönen

Finnish Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen was also challenged to give his opinion during the presidential election tour in Ivalo in 2005. When Vanhanen denied giving his own opinion, then director of the Finnish Security Police, SUPO, Seppo Nevala was more open. He accused Greenpeace of being a violent terrorist organisation in public radio interview.

-It is frightening that SUPO has twisted the reality of the situation. One would think that the Security Police would be able to search public internet sites to prove who is guilty of violence and terror -- those being the demonstrators in favour of current forestry practices, says Hyvönen.

Even if the focus of the film is on Saami issues, the threats of violence for political aims give it a new dimension.

-The situation is alarming for the situation of Saami rights and also for the state of Finnish democracy.

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http://www.elonmerkki.net/en/index
Above description abridged

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Saami
• Logging
• Indigenous
• Corporations
• State
• Sapmi
• Lapland

[avaruuskenguru]

Ohjaajan päivittämä versio löytyy kokonaisena google videosta, vaikka haulla viimeinen joiku. Versio siis suomeksi. Yhtenäisen videon linkkiä on kivempi lähettää tutuille.

[gladalive]

I pray for justice for the Sammi people and all indigenous people everywhere. Our planet has gotten so small that human rights crimes cannot be hidden and ignored any longer. I think a better world is emerging where mankind will truly be as one. Peace.

[frghl]

It's not Sámi language, it is definately Finnish he is speaking. I speak Finnish and understood every word.

[norseczar27]

Hey if it weren't for the Germanic people the saami would be unknown. LoL

[MrBushman1982]

im white man in usa and im in love with sami ppl and all of the native tribes of artic ......0

[ToolsnFire]

@gladalive If we're all one, do you mean all one culture? Regional diversities are good.

[Regnatoo]

This to me is just another awful example of how people are being cheated out of their chosen way to live, modern slavery. The government is useless, cause it thinks it will be better of with the Saami people abandoning their traditional way of living, cause then they can contribute to economy. I hope this documentary will grow awareness among consumers about the origin of the products they buy and the price local people may have to pay for them. There is no profit in a product that won't sell!