Norway's government apologizes to Sami reindeer herders
The Norwegian government has apologized to reindeer herders after activists spent a week protesting a wind farm that they say hinders the rights of the Indigenous Sami people in Norway
By JAN M. OLSEN
Published - Mar 02, 2023, 11:33 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 22, 2023, 06:20 PM EDT
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Norwegian government apologized Thursday to reindeer herders after activists spent a week protesting a wind farm that they say hinders the rights of the Indigenous Sami people in central and Arctic Norway.
“I have apologized to the reindeer owners on behalf of the government,” Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland said after meeting with the speaker of the 39-seat Sami Parliament, Silje Karine Mutoka.
“They have been in a difficult and unclear situation for a long time. I’m sorry about that,” he said.
Mutoka said that receiving an apology had been “a wish from my side.”
