Lassoing and Reindeer Racing Versus ‘Universal’ Sports: Various Routes to Sámi Identity Through Sports

Abstract

Purpose – This chapter explores how various types of sports provided by the Sámi sport organisation in Norway (SVL-N) contribute to the construction of Sámi ethnic identity.

Design/methodology/approach – Analysis of policy documents and literature of Sámi sport, and field work into Sami sport contexts were conducted. Based on the theoretical framework of identity as a result of ethnic boundaries, the analysis focuses upon identity work within Sámi contexts, compared with identity work across Sámi and Norwegian contexts.

Findings – Both unique Sami sports, such as reindeer racing and lassoing, and ‘universal sport’, such as football and cross-country skiing, provide opportunities for the construction of ethnic identity. Identity work within Sámi contexts focused on the internal cultural elements, while identity work in universal sports focused on the differences in comparison with Norwegian sport. However, refinements were revealed.

Research limitations/implications – The main limitation of this study is lack of empirical evidence provided by the athletes in Sámi sports.

Originality/value – This chapter provides an overview of Sámi sports and various approaches to ethnic identification through sport. The emphasis is on how a theoretical approach focusing on ethnic boundaries is supplemented by an approach acknowledging the cultural material within specific ethnic contexts.

Citation

Skille, E.Å. (2014), "Lassoing and Reindeer Racing Versus ‘Universal’ Sports: Various Routes to Sámi Identity Through Sports", Native Games: Indigenous Peoples and Sports in the Post-Colonial World (Research in the Sociology of Sport, Vol. 7), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 21-41. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1476-2854(2013)0000007006