Kiruna is undergoing a social transformation due to LKAB’s mining operations. Until just a few years ago, Samegården was threatened with demolition, but in 2020 the announcement came from LKAB that the building will not end up in the racial risk area in the near future.
– You live in a limbo when it comes to a building that needs to be maintained and fixed, so we need to have a message for the building, but also for the business, says Ragnhild Nilsson, board member of Samegården.
Samegården celebrates 50 years in 2023
The Sami farm has been an important meeting place for the Sami for 50 years and it had been hoped to get new premises as the existing one is in need of repair. The site designated for a new building no longer exists.
– We have to make sure that we build at full capacity now to keep up with the city’s relocation. However, we have lots reserved for the buildings that have not yet been redeemed, including Samegården, says Mats Taaveniku (S), municipal councilor in Kiruna.
The municipality and the church are members of Samegården
In addition to Sami villages and Sami associations, Kiruna Municipality and Kiruna Presbytery are also members of the Samegården.
– Kiruna is located in a Sami area where the Sami is very visible in many contexts, but not as visible in the new center as we would like. And we are positive that the Samegården ending up there would strengthen the Sami profile, says Lennart Lantto, Kiruna pastorate.
It was Kiruna municipality, the Church of Sweden and LKAB that stepped in as financiers to build the Samegården once upon a time. On the question of whether LKAB could consider early redemption of Samegården, LKAB replies via email: “Today, Samegården is not within the area of influence. We are in talks with the association and are looking at different solutions for them.”
– We are waiting for an answer, we cannot be a Sami building on the edge of a mine hole. And perhaps it should be remembered that the Sami farm was built from a history where the Sami were not actually allowed to enter hotels or be in the city of Kiruna, says Ragnhild Nilsson.
