TOO
MUCH FUN IN WESTERN SAAMI AMERICA??!!!!
The
year so far for the Saami Baiki Foundation (2002 - 2003)
August
While in Minnesota for the Finnfest this summer
I was asked by someone I will leave unnamed, “so what have
you been doing anyway?” The question was somewhat put as
if perhaps nothing much is happening “way out west”.
Actually, we’ve been having too much fun???? I will outline
the year so far for the Saami Baiki Foundation, and where it’s
going. Most all these events are open for all to participate and
attend. Contact us if you want further information!
September
Meetings are held (September and October) in Anchorage and Bethel
Alaska regarding the planned traveling exhibit “The Sami-
Reindeer People of Alaska”
to begin next year. Family members of the Alaska Sami community
as well as other interested people including museum staff and
Eskimo family members whose families were part of the original
Reindeer Project met at the Native Heritage Center, Anchorage,
The Anchorage Museum, and Yupik Museum in Bethel Alaska. Everyone
is really excited about this project! The Alaska Humanities Forum
and the Seventh Generation Fund have given the project planning
grants to get going.
October
We participated in Scandifest, third weekend in October,
Turlock, CA, as for the past six years with our Saami
camp. The biggest Scandinavian Festival in Northern California,
lots of people, warm weather!!!!. This year, as for the past 2
years, we were part of the flag ceremony, complete with a joik.
December
On Sunday December 8th at the Hollywood Paladium, Los
Angeles we participated in the SVEA Swedish woman’s organization
Christmas Fair. Special guests were 12 Saami crafts people and
artists from Norbotten, Sweden, many of them from around
Jokkmokk. The traditional and contemporary art was astounding.
Our Baiki group consisted of 6 people, and we put up both a complete
lavvu and a goahti frame. (The guest visitors complemented us
on both structures, which was great to hear.) Also accompanying
their group was the honorable Governor of the State of Norbotten,
Sweden. Kirsten Utsi, from Arjeplog, and Nathan Muus joiked on
stage several times to the full house. Lots of Swedes in L.A.!
The
next weekend we had the 5th annual Saami Baiki Solstice
potluck gathering in West Oakland, CA. It is always a great get
together of some 30 Baiki friends, staff and families with good
food and Solstice/ Christmas cheer.
Baiki
Journal Issue #24 is published with articles on Saami
plant uses and an interview with the current President of the
Norwegian Sami Parliament, among other articles.
February
The last weekend of the month saw continued filming of
The Lost Forest on location in the snow of the Lake Tahoe
mountain area, California. (Is that a lavvu I see?).
March
Earl and Norma Hanson, who hosted
the Centennial Reindeer Family Reunion a few years back (1998),
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in
Poulsbo, Washington on March 1st with a crowd of family and friends.
A number of folks there also discuss ideas and history regarding
the Alaska Saami project.
Lois
Stover and Faith Fjeld will attend the Kawerak Alaska Native Reindeer
Herders Association annual meeting; in Nome, Alaska on March 26-27th
to give a presentation on the Saami people and their history in
Alaska. Planning will also take place there, and later in Anchorage
on the exhibit to be going to Bethel (Yupiit Piciyarait Museum)
and Anchorage (Native Heritage Center) in 2004.
April
We are again participating in the Annual Scandinavian
Festival to be held at 1000 Oaks, CA near Los Angeles from April
5th-6th. We will have three Saami tents and some 12 or
more participants and special guests to form a lively village
there for the weekend.
May
The annual Norway Days festival will be held May 3rd and 4th at
Crissy Field, San Francisco, CA.
This will be our 6th continuous year of participation with a full
Sami Village as always. Expect a big crowd. (See Norway
Days 2002)
On
the 17th of May the Kodiak, Alaska Sons of Norway Island Viking
lodge will hold a fundraiser feast for the exhibit “The
Sami- Reindeer People of Alaska”. Lois Stover is the organizer.
June
The Bay Area Indian Agency Resources (BAIAR)
organization, made up of nearly all the greater San Francisco
area Indigenous related organizations will hold their monthly
meeting at the Saami Baiki Foundation center in Oakland on Friday,
June 6th. This is the second time we have had the honor of hosting
this meeting.
The
Saami Baiki Foundation will co host with the Norwegian,
Swedish and Finnish consulates of San Francisco the symposium
Circumpolar Worlds: Indigenous People on Two Continents Sunday
June 8, 2003. This will be in San Francisco, CA at the
Cowell Theater, Fort Mason, S.F. Invited guest speakers include:
Harold Gaski, University of Tromso, Norway, Pekka Aikio, President
of Finnish Sami Parliament and Rose Marie Huuva, Swedish Saami
artist, among others.
ROBA,
the North American Reindeer Owners and Breeders Association will
hold their annual meeting in Pendelton, Oregon on June 20-22nd.
“Reindeer Ron” Derkes is the organizer. We hope to
participate with a table and presentation.
July
The 10 day Scandinavian Showcase Festival will be held in Edmonton,
Canada July 17-26, 2003. We will
be assisting with this event to the best of our ability with a
modest Saami display. Anyone interested in helping in this will
be appreciated.
NOTE:
Please contact the Baiki office for any further information on
these events at (510) 547-8279 or [email protected].
Please note the best Baiki website access address is: /
