Siida Game Jam – Where Games Meet Sámi Culture

From 3 to 5 September 2026, the Sámi Museum Siida hosted SIIDA GAME JAM for the first time. Held both at the museum in Inari and online via Discord, the event brought together game creators from around the world to develop games inspired by Sámi culture, history and perspectives.

A game jam is an internationally recognised event format in which participants design and create a game or game concept within a set period of time. No previous game development experience was required to take part in SIIDA GAME JAM. The event was open to anyone interested in games and Sámi culture. Its aim was to provide an opportunity to explore game-based expression and discover new ways of approaching and communicating cultural stories, perspectives and experiences.

The idea for the event grew out of the Diginativvat? – Sámi Games Now! exhibition at Siida, curated by Outi Laiti. The exhibition presented games that had been showcased at the first Sámi Game Jam, held in Utsjoki in 2018, and visitors also had the opportunity to try them out.

“We started thinking about what kind of event we could organise alongside the exhibition, and the idea of organising a new Game Jam emerged quite naturally. This time, the event was organised by the Sámi Museum Siida, and participants could draw inspiration from the museum’s exhibitions. Siida also provides information about Sámi culture and its diverse perspectives,” says Reetta Tornensis, Exhibition Curator at the Sámi Museum Siida.

The theme of the event was Layers. The theme was explored from a variety of perspectives, including time, people, livelihoods, history and the future. Participants were encouraged to interpret the theme freely and approach it with an open mind – also by thinking beyond conventional approaches to game development and storytelling. The museum environment, exhibitions and discussions held during the event provided starting points for participants to create their own game-based interpretations.

The goal was achieved in many ways. Participants had the opportunity to experiment with new forms of expression and explore Sámi culture through games together with museum professionals and mentors. Games provided a way to approach the culture from new and sometimes unexpected perspectives.

SIIDA GAME JAM attracted participants both from the Sámi and beyond. Participants joined the event from countries including China and New Zealand. This strengthened the international dimension of the event and made SIIDA GAME JAM a truly international meeting place.

The first SIIDA GAME JAM also laid the groundwork for new collaboration opportunities and future events at the intersection of games and cultural heritage. The event demonstrated that games can offer an engaging and creative way to explore Sámi culture and discover new forms of storytelling. The games developed during SIIDA GAME JAM may even become part of an exhibition at Siida in the future!

Diginativvat? – Sámi Games Now! exhibition still on display.

The Diginativvat? – Sámi Games Now! exhibition at the Sámi Museum Siida is on display until 20 September 2026. Exhibition offers an introduction to Sámi-themed games and game culture. Visitors can also try out the games featured in the exhibition.

Now is a great time to visit the exhibition and discover how games can communicate stories and perspectives related to Sámi culture.