Metsähallitus and the Sámi Museum Siida have agreed to transfer exhibitions under the administration of the museum

Joint Press Release by the Sámi Museum Siida and Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland

Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland and the Sámi Museum Siida have agreed that all exhibition activities at Siida will be transferred entirely under the museum’s administration. The change will take effect in July 2025.

Located in Inari, Siida has operated since 1998 as both the Sámi Museum and the Northern Lapland Nature Centre. Its main exhibition, Enâmeh láá mii párnááh – These Lands Are Our Children, presents Sámi culture and the nature of Northern Lapland. The exhibition was renewed between 2020 and 2022 in cooperation between the Sámi Museum and Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland and has received widespread acclaim. In 2024, the Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida was named Museum of the Year in Finland, and the Sámi Museum was also recognized as European Museum of the Year.

With the new agreement, the administration, costs, and revenues of the exhibition activities – including ticket sales – will be fully transferred to the Sámi Museum Siida. This change applies to both the main exhibition and the two spaces for temporary exhibitions. Until now, ticket revenues have been shared between Metsähallitus and the Sámi Museum.

The transfer of exhibition activities aligns with the aim of Parks & Wildlife Finland to focus more clearly on its core duties – nature conservation and providing outdoor recreation services – in response to a changing funding landscape.

“Metsähallitus’ nature content will remain a part of the main exhibition. Additionally, Parks & Wildlife Finland will continue to operate customer service and maintain facilities at Siida, which will remain unchanged,” says Service Owner Katja Heikkinen from Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland.

As a result of this change, the name “Siida” will be used solely by the Sámi Museum.

“This change gives the Sámi Museum even better opportunities to present Sámi culture and art in Siida’s exhibitions. However, the museum’s facility costs will increase, which is why we need support from the state,” says Museum Director Taina Máret Pieski.