Essam hereby tradition reindeer herders that have lived as nomads everything
that have lived as nomads everything
that have lived as nomads everything revolved around the reindeer the food
revolved around the reindeer the food
revolved around the reindeer the food the children the the stories of
the children the the stories of
the children the the stories of everything herders were working so in
everything herders were working so in
everything herders were working so in handling nature that they could
handling nature that they could
handling nature that they could interpret the Arctic to the rest of the
interpret the Arctic to the rest of the
interpret the Arctic to the rest of the world the Sami people had their own
world the Sami people had their own
world the Sami people had their own voice and their own way to tell the
voice and their own way to tell the
voice and their own way to tell the world who they were
I’m gonna open tonight with a journal
I’m gonna open tonight with a journal entry November 2010 reindeer herd
entry November 2010 reindeer herd
entry November 2010 reindeer herd separation this at Autzen Norway I’m not
separation this at Autzen Norway I’m not
separation this at Autzen Norway I’m not ready to leave this place the longer I
ready to leave this place the longer I
ready to leave this place the longer I stay the more it suits me the land is
stay the more it suits me the land is
stay the more it suits me the land is like a magnet a person can either repel
like a magnet a person can either repel
like a magnet a person can either repel or connect to this landscape I woke up
or connect to this landscape I woke up
or connect to this landscape I woke up this morning and the Lavo closest to
this morning and the Lavo closest to
this morning and the Lavo closest to ours revealed it it snowed all night it
ours revealed it it snowed all night it
ours revealed it it snowed all night it was covered like a white sugar almond
was covered like a white sugar almond
was covered like a white sugar almond that one might have received as a
that one might have received as a
that one might have received as a wedding favor but as this world becomes
wedding favor but as this world becomes
wedding favor but as this world becomes more real to me the other fades away I
more real to me the other fades away I
more real to me the other fades away I came here to find people if when the
came here to find people if when the
came here to find people if when the land speaks could interpret its language
land speaks could interpret its language
land speaks could interpret its language I came here in search of silence so that
I came here in search of silence so that
I came here in search of silence so that I could begin to hear again I am now
I could begin to hear again I am now
I could begin to hear again I am now more stranger in my own home than here
more stranger in my own home than here
more stranger in my own home than here so tonight I want to take you to the
so tonight I want to take you to the
so tonight I want to take you to the Scandinavian Arctic where I encountered
Scandinavian Arctic where I encountered
Scandinavian Arctic where I encountered the Sami people the sami are by
the Sami people the sami are by
the Sami people the sami are by tradition reindeer herders that have
tradition reindeer herders that have
tradition reindeer herders that have lived his nomads today they’re
lived his nomads today they’re
lived his nomads today they’re considered the indigenous group of
considered the indigenous group of
considered the indigenous group of Europe to create this body of work I
Europe to create this body of work I
Europe to create this body of work I lived there for four years and worked as
lived there for four years and worked as
lived there for four years and worked as a biga obiga is a woman in Sami culture
a biga obiga is a woman in Sami culture
a biga obiga is a woman in Sami culture that would go and live with a family of
that would go and live with a family of
that would go and live with a family of reindeer herders she would help with the
reindeer herders she would help with the
reindeer herders she would help with the children she would help cook and clean
children she would help cook and clean
children she would help cook and clean she would also travel with the herders
she would also travel with the herders
she would also travel with the herders when they were with the reindeer she
when they were with the reindeer she
when they were with the reindeer she would help slaughter the reindeer and
would help slaughter the reindeer and
would help slaughter the reindeer and basically anything that needed to be
basically anything that needed to be
basically anything that needed to be done but first let’s watch a small video
done but first let’s watch a small video
done but first let’s watch a small video this ran with my article in 2011
Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh
Cooper acaba to convict Maharashtra
Cooper acaba to convict Maharashtra Hooft LaRocca last one kookaburra caste
Hooft LaRocca last one kookaburra caste
Hooft LaRocca last one kookaburra caste tea mara the lavas are Wow
you’re a Moondoggie – shallow and put
you’re a Moondoggie – shallow and put let’s do a job wait mister so the family
let’s do a job wait mister so the family
let’s do a job wait mister so the family homeland is called salt me but maybe
homeland is called salt me but maybe
homeland is called salt me but maybe many people here have heard it referred
many people here have heard it referred
many people here have heard it referred to as Lapland
to as Lapland
to as Lapland it ranges today in four countries Norway
it ranges today in four countries Norway
it ranges today in four countries Norway Sweden Finland and Russia but the
Sweden Finland and Russia but the
Sweden Finland and Russia but the majority of my work was done in Norway
majority of my work was done in Norway
majority of my work was done in Norway and Sweden where you see the grey dots
and Sweden where you see the grey dots
and Sweden where you see the grey dots yolk macchiato very hard oh and gold
yolk macchiato very hard oh and gold
yolk macchiato very hard oh and gold again Oh today there’s approximately
again Oh today there’s approximately
again Oh today there’s approximately between 80,000 to 100,000 Sami but only
between 80,000 to 100,000 Sami but only
between 80,000 to 100,000 Sami but only 10% of them are actively involved in
10% of them are actively involved in
10% of them are actively involved in reindeer herding so my journey began in
reindeer herding so my journey began in
reindeer herding so my journey began in 2007 I had a few email correspondence
2007 I had a few email correspondence
2007 I had a few email correspondence with the Sami woman I wrote her letter
with the Sami woman I wrote her letter
with the Sami woman I wrote her letter and said I was interested in learning
and said I was interested in learning
and said I was interested in learning about traditional medicine in the Arctic
about traditional medicine in the Arctic
about traditional medicine in the Arctic landscape and she invited me to come and
landscape and she invited me to come and
landscape and she invited me to come and stay with her for several weeks and so I
stay with her for several weeks and so I
stay with her for several weeks and so I did and when I got there she needed a
did and when I got there she needed a
did and when I got there she needed a few things really clear to me one was
few things really clear to me one was
few things really clear to me one was that the Sami people had their own voice
that the Sami people had their own voice
that the Sami people had their own voice and their own way to tell the world who
and their own way to tell the world who
and their own way to tell the world who they were they didn’t need someone
they were they didn’t need someone
they were they didn’t need someone coming from the outside and telling them
coming from the outside and telling them
coming from the outside and telling them who they were and the other was but if
who they were and the other was but if
who they were and the other was but if you want to learn who we are then you
you want to learn who we are then you
you want to learn who we are then you need to stay here for a long time and I
need to stay here for a long time and I
need to stay here for a long time and I said well you know I’ve worked on my
said well you know I’ve worked on my
said well you know I’ve worked on my last project over eight years and she
last project over eight years and she
last project over eight years and she said well that’s great so kind of set
said well that’s great so kind of set
said well that’s great so kind of set the scene for this so she said why don’t
the scene for this so she said why don’t
the scene for this so she said why don’t you go visit my husband he’s a reindeer
you go visit my husband he’s a reindeer
you go visit my husband he’s a reindeer herder and she does but I think he’s
herder and she does but I think he’s
herder and she does but I think he’s hunting moose right now and she drew a
hunting moose right now and she drew a
hunting moose right now and she drew a map on a napkin and she said just follow
map on a napkin and she said just follow
map on a napkin and she said just follow this map and you’ll find him okay so I
this map and you’ll find him okay so I
this map and you’ll find him okay so I drove about an hour to a railroad tracks
drove about an hour to a railroad tracks
drove about an hour to a railroad tracks that was like the main marker on the map
that was like the main marker on the map
that was like the main marker on the map it drove to the railroad tracks and put
it drove to the railroad tracks and put
it drove to the railroad tracks and put on my backpack and parked the car put on
on my backpack and parked the car put on
on my backpack and parked the car put on the backpack and I walked another three
the backpack and I walked another three
the backpack and I walked another three miles until I found this house and to me
miles until I found this house and to me
miles until I found this house and to me this house was the middle of nowhere and
this house was the middle of nowhere and
this house was the middle of nowhere and this is our old and he’s slicing dried
this is our old and he’s slicing dried
this is our old and he’s slicing dried reindeer meat at the table but this was
reindeer meat at the table but this was
reindeer meat at the table but this was the first thing I noticed on the wall it
the first thing I noticed on the wall it
the first thing I noticed on the wall it was just this picture and I really had
was just this picture and I really had
was just this picture and I really had no idea what it was and what was happy
no idea what it was and what was happy
no idea what it was and what was happy and I would truly have no idea of the
and I would truly have no idea of the
and I would truly have no idea of the deep significance of this event for
deep significance of this event for
deep significance of this event for another year and a half but it was the
another year and a half but it was the
another year and a half but it was the only thing on the wall so I figured
only thing on the wall so I figured
only thing on the wall so I figured intuitively it must be important and
intuitively it must be important and
intuitively it must be important and it’s a reindeer calf that’s being marked
it’s a reindeer calf that’s being marked
it’s a reindeer calf that’s being marked in the ear the ear mark shows the
in the ear the ear mark shows the
in the ear the ear mark shows the ownership and in Scandinavia today the
ownership and in Scandinavia today the
ownership and in Scandinavia today the majority of reindeer are owned and at
majority of reindeer are owned and at
majority of reindeer are owned and at that time I didn’t speak Sami language
that time I didn’t speak Sami language
that time I didn’t speak Sami language and RL didn’t speak English so we had to
and RL didn’t speak English so we had to
and RL didn’t speak English so we had to find ways to communicate and the first
find ways to communicate and the first
find ways to communicate and the first thing he did was come up to me and he
thing he did was come up to me and he
thing he did was come up to me and he had me smell his watchband he kind of
had me smell his watchband he kind of
had me smell his watchband he kind of put it up to my nose and I said ah and
put it up to my nose and I said ah and
put it up to my nose and I said ah and it’s smell like you just slaughtered an
it’s smell like you just slaughtered an
it’s smell like you just slaughtered an animal and that was his way of saying
animal and that was his way of saying
animal and that was his way of saying well you know we actually do two moose
well you know we actually do two moose
well you know we actually do two moose why don’t you come out and we’ll show it
why don’t you come out and we’ll show it
why don’t you come out and we’ll show it to you is that okay so we walked up and
to you is that okay so we walked up and
to you is that okay so we walked up and I followed in this is what I saw and I
I followed in this is what I saw and I
I followed in this is what I saw and I said oh finally like I feel really
said oh finally like I feel really
said oh finally like I feel really comfortable this is this is what I came
comfortable this is this is what I came
comfortable this is this is what I came to look for um and instantly just made
to look for um and instantly just made
to look for um and instantly just made some gestures and he was with his nephew
some gestures and he was with his nephew
some gestures and he was with his nephew and they were telling me to collect some
and they were telling me to collect some
and they were telling me to collect some wood to see if I could build a fire and
wood to see if I could build a fire and
wood to see if I could build a fire and so that’s again set the stage that not
so that’s again set the stage that not
so that’s again set the stage that not only would I be here for an extended
only would I be here for an extended
only would I be here for an extended period of time but that I would be
period of time but that I would be
period of time but that I would be needing to make myself useful it wasn’t
needing to make myself useful it wasn’t
needing to make myself useful it wasn’t that the Sami people needed my help by
that the Sami people needed my help by
that the Sami people needed my help by any means but they really also didn’t
any means but they really also didn’t
any means but they really also didn’t need someone standing around doing
need someone standing around doing
need someone standing around doing nothing about a year later I follow our
nothing about a year later I follow our
nothing about a year later I follow our ‘old to his summer grounds and this is
‘old to his summer grounds and this is
‘old to his summer grounds and this is the calf marking and this is one of the
the calf marking and this is one of the
the calf marking and this is one of the most important times in the Sami herding
most important times in the Sami herding
most important times in the Sami herding year as it projects the prosperity of
year as it projects the prosperity of
year as it projects the prosperity of the herd for the families for the years
the herd for the families for the years
the herd for the families for the years to come and what’s happening here is you
to come and what’s happening here is you
to come and what’s happening here is you see the female Rangers running in
see the female Rangers running in
see the female Rangers running in circles the herders are watching their
circles the herders are watching their
circles the herders are watching their ear marks and they’ll watch as the cops
ear marks and they’ll watch as the cops
ear marks and they’ll watch as the cops following and then the last of those
following and then the last of those
following and then the last of those calves and mark the ears and that’s how
calves and mark the ears and that’s how
calves and mark the ears and that’s how this continues this tradition and that
this continues this tradition and that
this continues this tradition and that fall I follow darls daughter suna this
fall I follow darls daughter suna this
fall I follow darls daughter suna this is during the fall slaughter and I took
is during the fall slaughter and I took
is during the fall slaughter and I took notice of a few of the women were
notice of a few of the women were
notice of a few of the women were collecting the blood after the reindeers
collecting the blood after the reindeers
collecting the blood after the reindeers were slaughtered and they’d sit there
were slaughtered and they’d sit there
were slaughtered and they’d sit there and stir it for about an hour and I
and stir it for about an hour and I
and stir it for about an hour and I asked her what they were doing she said
asked her what they were doing she said
asked her what they were doing she said we collect the blood we can either dry
we collect the blood we can either dry
we collect the blood we can either dry it or we’ll freeze it and this will be
it or we’ll freeze it and this will be
it or we’ll freeze it and this will be later used
later used
later used in cooking and when I began to work as a
in cooking and when I began to work as a
in cooking and when I began to work as a biga this is one of the first things I
biga this is one of the first things I
biga this is one of the first things I did was learn how to cook I cooked many
did was learn how to cook I cooked many
did was learn how to cook I cooked many dishes with blood but my favorite was
dishes with blood but my favorite was
dishes with blood but my favorite was blood pancakes um the first year and a
blood pancakes um the first year and a
blood pancakes um the first year and a half the way I went back and forth from
half the way I went back and forth from
half the way I went back and forth from New York to stop me trying to find ways
New York to stop me trying to find ways
New York to stop me trying to find ways to to stay there get visas how I could
to to stay there get visas how I could
to to stay there get visas how I could live in one person’s home just
live in one person’s home just
live in one person’s home just logistically how this was going to work
logistically how this was going to work
logistically how this was going to work and I would go back and forth I thought
and I would go back and forth I thought
and I would go back and forth I thought of the images I was making that as
of the images I was making that as
of the images I was making that as impressions my impressions of what I was
impressions my impressions of what I was
impressions my impressions of what I was seeing there and this this reindeer skin
seeing there and this this reindeer skin
seeing there and this this reindeer skin hanging on the side this is a site of a
hanging on the side this is a site of a
hanging on the side this is a site of a shed but there would be houses every
shed but there would be houses every
shed but there would be houses every kind of Sami village has had skins and
kind of Sami village has had skins and
kind of Sami village has had skins and skins on houses after house after house
skins on houses after house after house
skins on houses after house after house and I’d later find out that these skins
and I’d later find out that these skins
and I’d later find out that these skins could be sold but also they could be
could be sold but also they could be
could be sold but also they could be used on the snowmobiles to kind of keep
used on the snowmobiles to kind of keep
used on the snowmobiles to kind of keep warm they’d wrap around the snowmobiles
warm they’d wrap around the snowmobiles
warm they’d wrap around the snowmobiles or they put them on the floor of the
or they put them on the floor of the
or they put them on the floor of the lava which was that first structure you
lava which was that first structure you
lava which was that first structure you saw in the in the first slide that I
saw in the in the first slide that I
saw in the in the first slide that I showed and this is Lila the woman that
showed and this is Lila the woman that
showed and this is Lila the woman that invited me with suna her daughter and of
invited me with suna her daughter and of
invited me with suna her daughter and of course I was taken by the visual beauty
course I was taken by the visual beauty
course I was taken by the visual beauty of their traditional dress which is
of their traditional dress which is
of their traditional dress which is called a goth II but in time I learned
called a goth II but in time I learned
called a goth II but in time I learned that had deeper significance the goth D
that had deeper significance the goth D
that had deeper significance the goth D would tell an outsider exactly where
would tell an outsider exactly where
would tell an outsider exactly where they were coming from what village they
they were coming from what village they
they were coming from what village they were coming from but even more so I
were coming from but even more so I
were coming from but even more so I could tell you what family they belong
could tell you what family they belong
could tell you what family they belong to and if you really knew what you were
to and if you really knew what you were
to and if you really knew what you were doing and you looked close enough you
doing and you looked close enough you
doing and you looked close enough you could tell who sold the goth D I later
could tell who sold the goth D I later
could tell who sold the goth D I later learned that if a minor Asami miner got
learned that if a minor Asami miner got
learned that if a minor Asami miner got in trouble if a picture went in the
in trouble if a picture went in the
in trouble if a picture went in the newspaper no part of the golf D could be
newspaper no part of the golf D could be
newspaper no part of the golf D could be shown as well as the face it would be
shown as well as the face it would be
shown as well as the face it would be like identifying the person and this is
like identifying the person and this is
like identifying the person and this is Ella Lee she’s the niece of our Eldon
Ella Lee she’s the niece of our Eldon
Ella Lee she’s the niece of our Eldon Lila she’s from yok muck and she’s a
Lila she’s from yok muck and she’s a
Lila she’s from yok muck and she’s a reindeer herder I was struck by this
reindeer herder I was struck by this
reindeer herder I was struck by this luminescent quality she had but I was
luminescent quality she had but I was
luminescent quality she had but I was also taken by her scarf and I had no
also taken by her scarf and I had no
also taken by her scarf and I had no idea if it was Swedish or saw me and she
idea if it was Swedish or saw me and she
idea if it was Swedish or saw me and she said to me oh of course it saw me
said to me oh of course it saw me
said to me oh of course it saw me and she said you know we wear it on our
and she said you know we wear it on our
and she said you know we wear it on our traditional goth d but when we’re in our
traditional goth d but when we’re in our
traditional goth d but when we’re in our street clothes and I call it street
street clothes and I call it street
street clothes and I call it street clothes she didn’t call him that but you
clothes she didn’t call him that but you
clothes she didn’t call him that but you know we wear it in our everyday clothes
know we wear it in our everyday clothes
know we wear it in our everyday clothes it’s called Sami inspired and finally I
it’s called Sami inspired and finally I
it’s called Sami inspired and finally I made my way to go to gain oh go to gain
made my way to go to gain oh go to gain
made my way to go to gain oh go to gain was considered a it’s just if you want
was considered a it’s just if you want
was considered a it’s just if you want to say sort of the Sami capital 90% of
to say sort of the Sami capital 90% of
to say sort of the Sami capital 90% of the people speaks on the language and
the people speaks on the language and
the people speaks on the language and Lila took me there to meet her extended
Lila took me there to meet her extended
Lila took me there to meet her extended relatives and this is where I ended up
relatives and this is where I ended up
relatives and this is where I ended up meeting Niels Pater and Ingrid gulp and
meeting Niels Pater and Ingrid gulp and
meeting Niels Pater and Ingrid gulp and it was them that I worked for as the
it was them that I worked for as the
it was them that I worked for as the Vita and no Spader comes from a long
Vita and no Spader comes from a long
Vita and no Spader comes from a long lineage of reindeer herders and it was
lineage of reindeer herders and it was
lineage of reindeer herders and it was from him that I could finally begin to
from him that I could finally begin to
from him that I could finally begin to get answers about my initial question
get answers about my initial question
get answers about my initial question were there people that could interpret
were there people that could interpret
were there people that could interpret nature’s landscape and not only did the
nature’s landscape and not only did the
nature’s landscape and not only did the Sami language itself have deep deep and
Sami language itself have deep deep and
Sami language itself have deep deep and rich vocabulary to describe the natural
rich vocabulary to describe the natural
rich vocabulary to describe the natural world but herders and we’re working so
world but herders and we’re working so
world but herders and we’re working so in tandem with nature that in fact they
in tandem with nature that in fact they
in tandem with nature that in fact they could interpret the Arctic to the rest
could interpret the Arctic to the rest
could interpret the Arctic to the rest of the world another thing in this image
of the world another thing in this image
of the world another thing in this image I think it was the first time I had
I think it was the first time I had
I think it was the first time I had experienced where I could see no horizon
experienced where I could see no horizon
experienced where I could see no horizon line I just kept looking around and it
line I just kept looking around and it
line I just kept looking around and it was like you couldn’t the focal point
was like you couldn’t the focal point
was like you couldn’t the focal point was this and this is Neil stator and
was this and this is Neil stator and
was this and this is Neil stator and Ingrid’s main house and I say a main
Ingrid’s main house and I say a main
Ingrid’s main house and I say a main house because many herders have house in
house because many herders have house in
house because many herders have house in their summer grounds and house in their
their summer grounds and house in their
their summer grounds and house in their winter grounds where the reindeer are in
winter grounds where the reindeer are in
winter grounds where the reindeer are in the summer with a reindeer on the winter
the summer with a reindeer on the winter
the summer with a reindeer on the winter and then they have a main house this is
and then they have a main house this is
and then they have a main house this is where I mostly lived and worked and one
where I mostly lived and worked and one
where I mostly lived and worked and one day I had been out all day most likely
day I had been out all day most likely
day I had been out all day most likely with the herd and with Neil’s Pater and
with the herd and with Neil’s Pater and
with the herd and with Neil’s Pater and I came in and I saw this sitting on the
I came in and I saw this sitting on the
I came in and I saw this sitting on the table and I thought okay and um they
table and I thought okay and um they
table and I thought okay and um they told me it did you know so cold outside
told me it did you know so cold outside
told me it did you know so cold outside that they couldn’t cut the meat up
that they couldn’t cut the meat up
that they couldn’t cut the meat up outside it was freezing so they had to
outside it was freezing so they had to
outside it was freezing so they had to bring it in so of course I run
bring it in so of course I run
bring it in so of course I run downstairs and I get my camera come back
downstairs and I get my camera come back
downstairs and I get my camera come back off into everyone laughing they’re like
off into everyone laughing they’re like
off into everyone laughing they’re like oh my gosh again she’s taking pictures
oh my gosh again she’s taking pictures
oh my gosh again she’s taking pictures every day this is what is she thinking a
every day this is what is she thinking a
every day this is what is she thinking a picture of
picture of
picture of and so I was like I have to get this
and so I was like I have to get this
and so I was like I have to get this picture they okay and then about a year
picture they okay and then about a year
picture they okay and then about a year later um I came across the same scene I
later um I came across the same scene I
later um I came across the same scene I had been out all day probably with the
had been out all day probably with the
had been out all day probably with the reader and I came in and the calf was
reader and I came in and the calf was
reader and I came in and the calf was sitting on the table and I thought to
sitting on the table and I thought to
sitting on the table and I thought to myself oh my gosh I’ve got to get some
myself oh my gosh I’ve got to get some
myself oh my gosh I’ve got to get some food
food
food I’ve been out all day and I made myself
I’ve been out all day and I made myself
I’ve been out all day and I made myself some soup and I sat down and I started
some soup and I sat down and I started
some soup and I sat down and I started eating and Ingrid raced and got her
eating and Ingrid raced and got her
eating and Ingrid raced and got her camera and she came back and she took
camera and she came back and she took
camera and she came back and she took this picture and she said well now
this picture and she said well now
this picture and she said well now you’re a part of the everyday and if it
you’re a part of the everyday and if it
you’re a part of the everyday and if it you know I I think it felt really good
you know I I think it felt really good
you know I I think it felt really good but at the same time it made me think
but at the same time it made me think
but at the same time it made me think wow what’s my perspective now what does
wow what’s my perspective now what does
wow what’s my perspective now what does that mean and then I realized that I
that mean and then I realized that I
that mean and then I realized that I could make pictures like this that’s
could make pictures like this that’s
could make pictures like this that’s what it meant
what it meant
what it meant this is Niels Peter and his herding dog
this is Niels Peter and his herding dog
this is Niels Peter and his herding dog video and for them this is what would be
video and for them this is what would be
video and for them this is what would be considered the ultimate herders
considered the ultimate herders
considered the ultimate herders perspective you can see the entire herd
perspective you can see the entire herd
perspective you can see the entire herd in the background you can see what
in the background you can see what
in the background you can see what weather is coming in if there’s reindeer
weather is coming in if there’s reindeer
weather is coming in if there’s reindeer missing if there’s predators if there’s
missing if there’s predators if there’s
missing if there’s predators if there’s food but you know three years before I
food but you know three years before I
food but you know three years before I wanted to be as close as possible to the
wanted to be as close as possible to the
wanted to be as close as possible to the reindeer I wanted to be as close as
reindeer I wanted to be as close as
reindeer I wanted to be as close as possible I wanted to capture their face
possible I wanted to capture their face
possible I wanted to capture their face I would never have taken a picture like
I would never have taken a picture like
I would never have taken a picture like this and also probably I wouldn’t have
this and also probably I wouldn’t have
this and also probably I wouldn’t have been in a position to be here to see
been in a position to be here to see
been in a position to be here to see this
this
this and as I studied more and learn more
and as I studied more and learn more
and as I studied more and learn more about Sami artwork when a herder would
about Sami artwork when a herder would
about Sami artwork when a herder would paint a hurting scene it would always be
paint a hurting scene it would always be
paint a hurting scene it would always be from this vantage point and the Lavo
from this vantage point and the Lavo
from this vantage point and the Lavo again many herders today use the lava
again many herders today use the lava
again many herders today use the lava when they’re actually out with the
when they’re actually out with the
when they’re actually out with the reindeer and by this time I decided I
reindeer and by this time I decided I
reindeer and by this time I decided I had to learn Sami language and in code
had to learn Sami language and in code
had to learn Sami language and in code okay like I said 98% of the people speak
okay like I said 98% of the people speak
okay like I said 98% of the people speak Sami so I was surrounded with it all the
Sami so I was surrounded with it all the
Sami so I was surrounded with it all the time but there’s also something called
time but there’s also something called
time but there’s also something called Sami Allah schools or Sami University
Sami Allah schools or Sami University
Sami Allah schools or Sami University and I took a 7 month immersion course
and I took a 7 month immersion course
and I took a 7 month immersion course and Sami were put in boarding schools
and Sami were put in boarding schools
and Sami were put in boarding schools and many generations lost their language
and many generations lost their language
and many generations lost their language so this school kind of gives this back
so this school kind of gives this back
so this school kind of gives this back to the generations that have lost it but
to the generations that have lost it but
to the generations that have lost it but I also took it
I also took it
I also took it finally I could sit in a lava like this
finally I could sit in a lava like this
finally I could sit in a lava like this and this is when I began to understand
and this is when I began to understand
and this is when I began to understand the history and learn about the culture
the history and learn about the culture
the history and learn about the culture because grandparents extended family
because grandparents extended family
because grandparents extended family aunts uncles children were all sitting
aunts uncles children were all sitting
aunts uncles children were all sitting this lava and telling stories and Sami
this lava and telling stories and Sami
this lava and telling stories and Sami and drinking coffee and eating dried
and drinking coffee and eating dried
and drinking coffee and eating dried reindeer meat and they weren’t being
reindeer meat and they weren’t being
reindeer meat and they weren’t being translated into English and if they were
translated into English and if they were
translated into English and if they were they really lost the significance so
they really lost the significance so
they really lost the significance so finally I could hear and feel these
finally I could hear and feel these
finally I could hear and feel these stories and this is not a scalp it’s a
stories and this is not a scalp it’s a
stories and this is not a scalp it’s a nose Peter’s brother and they work with
nose Peter’s brother and they work with
nose Peter’s brother and they work with their herds together and for me pictures
their herds together and for me pictures
their herds together and for me pictures like this are important because I didn’t
like this are important because I didn’t
like this are important because I didn’t take very many of them a lot of my work
take very many of them a lot of my work
take very many of them a lot of my work is kind of silent and stealing more
is kind of silent and stealing more
is kind of silent and stealing more reflections on the moments but it would
reflections on the moments but it would
reflections on the moments but it would be a real disservice to take away hot
be a real disservice to take away hot
be a real disservice to take away hot what hard work reindeer herding is it’s
what hard work reindeer herding is it’s
what hard work reindeer herding is it’s all year long there’s no vacations if a
all year long there’s no vacations if a
all year long there’s no vacations if a herder takes vacations it’s usually to
herder takes vacations it’s usually to
herder takes vacations it’s usually to visit extended family members and help
visit extended family members and help
visit extended family members and help them with their herd they’re often
them with their herd they’re often
them with their herd they’re often working in minus 30 minus 40 minus 50
working in minus 30 minus 40 minus 50
working in minus 30 minus 40 minus 50 it’s not a lot of money this is a
it’s not a lot of money this is a
it’s not a lot of money this is a lifestyle um
lifestyle um
lifestyle um one side note I was at a family party
one side note I was at a family party
one side note I was at a family party and this guy not this walks in his
and this guy not this walks in his
and this guy not this walks in his entire face is frost it’s just brown and
entire face is frost it’s just brown and
entire face is frost it’s just brown and kind of peeling away and nobody believed
kind of peeling away and nobody believed
kind of peeling away and nobody believed it just me I was like wow it was just
it just me I was like wow it was just
it just me I was like wow it was just just caiman he’d been out with the
just caiman he’d been out with the
just caiman he’d been out with the reindeer for a few weeks so and one
reindeer for a few weeks so and one
reindeer for a few weeks so and one spring I got to follow the gulps on
spring I got to follow the gulps on
spring I got to follow the gulps on their spring migration the spring
their spring migration the spring
their spring migration the spring migration is probably about 200 250
migration is probably about 200 250
migration is probably about 200 250 kilometer trap from the winter grazing
kilometer trap from the winter grazing
kilometer trap from the winter grazing grounds north to the summer grazing
grounds north to the summer grazing
grounds north to the summer grazing grounds I can take anywhere from a few
grounds I can take anywhere from a few
grounds I can take anywhere from a few days or a few weeks depending on the
days or a few weeks depending on the
days or a few weeks depending on the weather and in this situation the
weather and in this situation the
weather and in this situation the weather would you know get a little bit
weather would you know get a little bit
weather would you know get a little bit bad so they would stop sometimes they
bad so they would stop sometimes they
bad so they would stop sometimes they would pitch the lava and we could sit
would pitch the lava and we could sit
would pitch the lava and we could sit for 15 or 20 hours or sometimes they’d
for 15 or 20 hours or sometimes they’d
for 15 or 20 hours or sometimes they’d just take a break like this for an hour
just take a break like this for an hour
just take a break like this for an hour and go to sleep
and this is how I saw the hurt on that
and this is how I saw the hurt on that migration and again I just remember it
migration and again I just remember it
migration and again I just remember it was a the migration itself is very
was a the migration itself is very
was a the migration itself is very meditative just kind of going and going
meditative just kind of going and going
meditative just kind of going and going and you don’t see very much you just see
and you don’t see very much you just see
and you don’t see very much you just see the herd and I saw this and I realized
the herd and I saw this and I realized
the herd and I saw this and I realized wow my only focal point are reindeer and
wow my only focal point are reindeer and
wow my only focal point are reindeer and in that extended to many years it wasn’t
in that extended to many years it wasn’t
in that extended to many years it wasn’t just today in this time and in that
just today in this time and in that
just today in this time and in that moment I realized I had been living in a
moment I realized I had been living in a
moment I realized I had been living in a bubble of reindeer for like years and in
bubble of reindeer for like years and in
bubble of reindeer for like years and in in the best way I mean everything
in the best way I mean everything
in the best way I mean everything revolved but the hurting families that I
revolved but the hurting families that I
revolved but the hurting families that I lived with everything revolved around me
lived with everything revolved around me
lived with everything revolved around me reindeer the food the children the the
reindeer the food the children the the
reindeer the food the children the the stories of everything had to do with
stories of everything had to do with
stories of everything had to do with reindeer and this picture is really
reindeer and this picture is really
reindeer and this picture is really important to me because this is Niels
important to me because this is Niels
important to me because this is Niels Pater sitting with his herd and actually
Pater sitting with his herd and actually
Pater sitting with his herd and actually today the herds are a lot more wild than
today the herds are a lot more wild than
today the herds are a lot more wild than they used to be because of things like
they used to be because of things like
they used to be because of things like snowmobiles and helicopters which a lot
snowmobiles and helicopters which a lot
snowmobiles and helicopters which a lot of herders use they’re not physically
of herders use they’re not physically
of herders use they’re not physically with the herds the way they used to be
with the herds the way they used to be
with the herds the way they used to be they used to ski with the herds or walk
they used to ski with the herds or walk
they used to ski with the herds or walk with the herd so the herd was more tame
with the herd so the herd was more tame
with the herd so the herd was more tame so for him to sit and have the herd kind
so for him to sit and have the herd kind
so for him to sit and have the herd kind of circling with it around him it means
of circling with it around him it means
of circling with it around him it means he’s been with us hurt every single day
he’s been with us hurt every single day
he’s been with us hurt every single day and then he sat there and he began to
and then he sat there and he began to
and then he sat there and he began to yike and you like is that sort of throw
yike and you like is that sort of throw
yike and you like is that sort of throw each ant you heard in the video I showed
each ant you heard in the video I showed
each ant you heard in the video I showed at the beginning and the wake is it’s
at the beginning and the wake is it’s
at the beginning and the wake is it’s very special to the Sami it’s a way to
very special to the Sami it’s a way to
very special to the Sami it’s a way to pay reverence to a person place or thing
pay reverence to a person place or thing
pay reverence to a person place or thing and he sat down and he began to you like
and he sat down and he began to you like
and he sat down and he began to you like his wife which means he’s a Vulcan her
his wife which means he’s a Vulcan her
his wife which means he’s a Vulcan her presence in the herd and this is his
presence in the herd and this is his
presence in the herd and this is his wife Ingrid and she took me under her
wife Ingrid and she took me under her
wife Ingrid and she took me under her wing when I was there and she showed me
wing when I was there and she showed me
wing when I was there and she showed me what a woman’s role was in a reindeer
what a woman’s role was in a reindeer
what a woman’s role was in a reindeer herding family and their role is to be
herding family and their role is to be
herding family and their role is to be the heart and soul of the family and
the heart and soul of the family and
the heart and soul of the family and that’s what she was um and just like our
that’s what she was um and just like our
that’s what she was um and just like our load in the very beginning that had me
load in the very beginning that had me
load in the very beginning that had me build a fire Ingrid did the same thing
build a fire Ingrid did the same thing
build a fire Ingrid did the same thing she had me cook she if she went out to
she had me cook she if she went out to
she had me cook she if she went out to cut grass what she’s doing here I would
cut grass what she’s doing here I would
cut grass what she’s doing here I would go out and cut grass and she’s cutting
go out and cut grass and she’s cutting
go out and cut grass and she’s cutting grass it’ll later be dried it’ll be put
grass it’ll later be dried it’ll be put
grass it’ll later be dried it’ll be put in shoes in the wintertime and she
in shoes in the wintertime and she
in shoes in the wintertime and she swears this is
swears this is
swears this is than synthetic material and this is skin
than synthetic material and this is skin
than synthetic material and this is skin her and her skin and Ingrid taught me
her and her skin and Ingrid taught me
her and her skin and Ingrid taught me how to work with skin how to take the
how to work with skin how to take the
how to work with skin how to take the hair off how to dry it how to lead later
hair off how to dry it how to lead later
hair off how to dry it how to lead later make a bark concoction which would
make a bark concoction which would
make a bark concoction which would preserve the skin and then also how to
preserve the skin and then also how to
preserve the skin and then also how to sew with it when I was six months
sew with it when I was six months
sew with it when I was six months pregnant
pregnant
pregnant I went back and we so choose for my son
I went back and we so choose for my son
I went back and we so choose for my son which is a tradition and these are not
which is a tradition and these are not
which is a tradition and these are not my son shoes but these are reindeer
my son shoes but these are reindeer
my son shoes but these are reindeer shoes with these how this has the hair
shoes with these how this has the hair
shoes with these how this has the hair on it so these would be shoes that are
on it so these would be shoes that are
on it so these would be shoes that are used in the winter these are for female
used in the winter these are for female
used in the winter these are for female and these would be for a fancy very
and these would be for a fancy very
and these would be for a fancy very dressy occasion it would be used with
dressy occasion it would be used with
dressy occasion it would be used with the goth tea but this style of the toe
the goth tea but this style of the toe
the goth tea but this style of the toe being curled up would be on men or women
being curled up would be on men or women
being curled up would be on men or women shoes and it comes from the old days
shoes and it comes from the old days
shoes and it comes from the old days when they used to lock into the skis
when they used to lock into the skis
when they used to lock into the skis with it this is Elin Inger this is the
with it this is Elin Inger this is the
with it this is Elin Inger this is the granddaughter of Niels Pater and Ingrid
granddaughter of Niels Pater and Ingrid
granddaughter of Niels Pater and Ingrid and it would be like similar to a Native
and it would be like similar to a Native
and it would be like similar to a Native American cradle board and you can see
American cradle board and you can see
American cradle board and you can see here the woods being covered with this
here the woods being covered with this
here the woods being covered with this skin that’s finally been preserved by
skin that’s finally been preserved by
skin that’s finally been preserved by the bark a lot of the women today use
the bark a lot of the women today use
the bark a lot of the women today use these for the children and this is
these for the children and this is
these for the children and this is Ingrid and her youngest daughter Sarah
Ingrid and her youngest daughter Sarah
Ingrid and her youngest daughter Sarah in olavo and this is during their calf
in olavo and this is during their calf
in olavo and this is during their calf marking and I followed them we were here
marking and I followed them we were here
marking and I followed them we were here for a couple weeks we set up the Lavo
for a couple weeks we set up the Lavo
for a couple weeks we set up the Lavo and we went inside and you can see those
and we went inside and you can see those
and we went inside and you can see those skins that I showed you in the beginning
skins that I showed you in the beginning
skins that I showed you in the beginning on the shed there on the ground there
on the shed there on the ground there
on the shed there on the ground there sitting they set up the fireplace and
sitting they set up the fireplace and
sitting they set up the fireplace and she cooked coffee and she sat down and
she cooked coffee and she sat down and
she cooked coffee and she sat down and all she said to me she said this is home
all she said to me she said this is home
all she said to me she said this is home this is what home is
this is Johan he’s a young herder from
this is Johan he’s a young herder from Sweden and I spent a couple weeks with
Sweden and I spent a couple weeks with
Sweden and I spent a couple weeks with him and I asked him what is hurting to
him and I asked him what is hurting to
him and I asked him what is hurting to you what are you going to do what are
you what are you going to do what are
you what are you going to do what are you going to be and he said hurting is
you going to be and he said hurting is
you going to be and he said hurting is everything I’ve learned this from my
everything I’ve learned this from my
everything I’ve learned this from my uncles I’ve learned it from my aunts
uncles I’ve learned it from my aunts
uncles I’ve learned it from my aunts I’ve learned it from my mother I am a
I’ve learned it from my mother I am a
I’ve learned it from my mother I am a reindeer herder but to be a reindeer
reindeer herder but to be a reindeer
reindeer herder but to be a reindeer herder today it’s very very difficult I
herder today it’s very very difficult I
herder today it’s very very difficult I won’t be able to just be a reindeer
won’t be able to just be a reindeer
won’t be able to just be a reindeer herder I will have to take another job
herder I will have to take another job
herder I will have to take another job just the cost of of the gas and then the
just the cost of of the gas and then the
just the cost of of the gas and then the equipment reindeer reindeer herding is
equipment reindeer reindeer herding is
equipment reindeer reindeer herding is an economic way of life it’s regulated
an economic way of life it’s regulated
an economic way of life it’s regulated by the EU but what he was telling me is
by the EU but what he was telling me is
by the EU but what he was telling me is that young reindeer herders they can
that young reindeer herders they can
that young reindeer herders they can continue but they will have to take
continue but they will have to take
continue but they will have to take other work and this is Sven I spent a
other work and this is Sven I spent a
other work and this is Sven I spent a lot of time as when he came to visit me
lot of time as when he came to visit me
lot of time as when he came to visit me in New York he’s 70 he’s been reindeer
in New York he’s 70 he’s been reindeer
in New York he’s 70 he’s been reindeer herding his entire life and I’m gonna
herding his entire life and I’m gonna
herding his entire life and I’m gonna end on another journal entry today we
end on another journal entry today we
end on another journal entry today we came across two women reindeer that
came across two women reindeer that
came across two women reindeer that while fighting locked horns unable to
while fighting locked horns unable to
while fighting locked horns unable to unlock they starved to death
unlock they starved to death
unlock they starved to death I watched van as he approached the scene
I watched van as he approached the scene
I watched van as he approached the scene he seemed forlán and lost in thought I
he seemed forlán and lost in thought I
he seemed forlán and lost in thought I only took a few pictures it struck me
only took a few pictures it struck me
only took a few pictures it struck me how a man close to 70 that had been a
how a man close to 70 that had been a
how a man close to 70 that had been a reindeer hurt or his entire life could
reindeer hurt or his entire life could
reindeer hurt or his entire life could be so sad I could only imagine how many
be so sad I could only imagine how many
be so sad I could only imagine how many reindeer he had slaughtered in his
reindeer he had slaughtered in his
reindeer he had slaughtered in his lifetime and that this cycle of life and
lifetime and that this cycle of life and
lifetime and that this cycle of life and death would seem so natural when I asked
death would seem so natural when I asked
death would seem so natural when I asked him he said that they had suffered he
him he said that they had suffered he
him he said that they had suffered he estimated it took them three days or so
estimated it took them three days or so
estimated it took them three days or so to die of starvation and cold and this
to die of starvation and cold and this
to die of starvation and cold and this is what bothered him he looked at the
is what bothered him he looked at the
is what bothered him he looked at the earmark to see him they belong to one
earmark to see him they belong to one
earmark to see him they belong to one was his and one was his cousin he
was his and one was his cousin he
was his and one was his cousin he separated their locked horns cut them
separated their locked horns cut them
separated their locked horns cut them off and brought them home to give as a
off and brought them home to give as a
off and brought them home to give as a keepsake thank you
”
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