By Åsa Simma /Hoavda/Teaterchef at Giron Sámi Teáhter and member of the International Committee/Bibu/ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering 2022
Soon we will be gathered from many nations in the City of Helsingborg, in the country now called Sweden. A country that has occupied Sami territory for many hundred years. Sami Territory now, is about 80 % of the country now called Sweden.
I want to acknowledge the Sami people in this city who’s association is called, Sámit lulde/ Sami people in the south.
We acknowledge our past
- when our earth was nurturing our oral traditions
- when night sky evoked the visions of our dreams
- when sun and the moon were our parents in stories told
- when storytelling made us all brothers and sisters
- when our stories brought forth great chiefs and leaders
- when justice was upheld in the stories told
We will
- Hold and manage Indigenous cultural and intellectual property
- Ensure our continued recognition as primary guardians and interpreters of our culture
- Respect Indigenous individuals and communities
- Faithfully preserve our traditional knowledge with performing arts
- Use our skills to communicate with nature and all living things
- Heal our wounds through the performing arts
- Preserve and pass on our stories to those not yet born
