Jenni Laiti (born 1981) is a Sámi artist and activist associated with the Suohpanterror group and the ČSV cultural movement. She is the public spokesperson for Suohpanterror, whose members otherwise remain anonymous.[1]
Jenni Laiti | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Laiti at Kiasma in 2015 | |
| Born | 1981 |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Known for | Suohpanterror spokesperson |
Born in Inari, Finland, Laiti is based in Jokkmokk, Sweden, where she herds reindeer with her husband and two children.[2] Her father was Sámi and her mother Finnish, but Sámi was not spoken in her childhood home; she later learned the language.[3] Laiti studied Sámi handicrafts and culture at Umeå University.[4]
Laiti's art includes performance art and installation pieces, which serve as a tool for her activism on climate change, decolonization, and Sámi rights.[4][5] Laiti was the developer of the 2018 Red Line demonstration to protest the Arctic Ocean Railway. In the action, which was organized with Greenpeace, Sámi youth organization Suoma Sámi Nuorat, and Suohpanterror, people dressed in red clothing, many wearing traditional Sámi gákti, held red posts and banners to block the proposed railway alignment.[6]
In 2013, she edited the sixth edition of Elisabeth Utsi Gaup's Sámi-languages children's songbook, Suga Suga Su.[7]
References edit
- ^ Toijonen, Siskotuulikki (15 May 2016). "Suohpanterror ampuu tahallaan yli" [Suohpanterror Deliberately Overshoots]. Kansan Uutiset (in Finnish). Helsinki, Finland. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- ^ Kudel, Silja (November 2017). "Sámi Culture Strikes Back". Blue Wings. pp. 36–37. ISSN 0358-7703. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
- ^ Luhta (6 February 2015). "Jenni Laiti is looking out for Sámi interests". Uralistica. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
- ^ a b "Jenni Laiti: Forewalkers". Ii, Finland: Art il Biennial. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
- ^ Lakkala, Aletta (8 September 2018). "Punaisiin pukeutuneet ihmisjoukot vetävät Ylä-Lappiin rajoja estääkseen Jäämeren radan tulon" [Crowds dressed in red draw borders in Upper Lapland to prevent the Arctic Ocean railway from entering]. Yle (in Finnish). Retrieved 2021-09-30.
- ^ Tamminen, Jari (7 September 2018). "Jäämeren rata ei ole tervetullut" [The Arctic Ocean Railway Is Not Welcome]. Häiriköt-Päämaja (in Finnish). Helsinki, Finland. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
- ^ Aikio, Jouni (20 November 2013). "Suga suga su -girjjis ođasmahttojuvvon preanttus" [Suga Suga Su being updated]. Yle (in Northern Sami). Retrieved 2021-09-30.