Navigating Challenges: Sámi Youth, Land Use Changes, and Cultural Well-Being

The paper, with a multidisciplinary approach, examines the relationship between land use and nature and the well-being of Sámi youth. We study how the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) pay attention to the circumstances in the global north and bring up examples of typical land use conflicts in the Sámi region in Finland, Sweden, and Norway. This article draws from a diverse range of literature documents and research articles, including the Sámi youth interviews and semi-structural interviews conducted in 2019 during project Mihá. These interviews provide a human perspective and valuable insights into the experiences and perceptions of the Sámi youth, enriching our understanding of the impact of land use and nature on their well-being. Resource-based industries pose a significant threat to the livelihoods in Northern Scandinavia and have a profound impact on the lives of the Sámi youth. These industries have severe negative implications for mental and physical health, including the loss of language and culture, change in living environment, and loss of the local lifestyle. This raises serious concerns about the well-being of the Sámi youth and the social sustainability of their communities.