September 10 and 12, 2025, will be historic days for Sámi museums and Sámi culture field: A decorative antler spoon from the Southern Sámi region will be returned from the Sámi Museum Siida in Inari, Finland, to Saemien Sijte – the Southern Sámi museum and cultural center in Snåsa, Norway. This is the first return between two Sámi museums.
Sámi Museum Siida is carrying out a community-based project to explore how best to make returned Sámi objects part of living Sámi culture. The grant continues the Finnish Cultural Foundation’s long-standing support for the Sámi culture and languages.
The University of Lapland, the Sámi Education Institute and Sámi museum Siida have signed a new cooperation agreement that aims to deepen their long-lasting partnership, as well as strengthen the education, research and development of the Sámi region.
Joint Press Release by the Sámi Museum Siida and Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland
The Sámi Museum and Nature Centre Siida achieved historic visitor numbers in 2024. According to statistics, Siida’s events and exhibitions attracted over 82,000 visitors, more than 20 percent higher than the previous record of 68,000 set in 2023. July was especially busy, with a record-breaking 14,000 monthly exhibition visitors.
This week, the Sámi Museum Siida is hosting a delegation from Upopoy, the National Ainu Museum and Park, in Hokkaido, Japan. During the visit, the Ainu Culture Foundation and the Sámi Museum are renewing their partnership agreement, which aims to promote cultural collaboration between Indigenous peoples, including through museum exhibitions and staff exchanges.
The Chairperson of the Sámi Museum Foundation Veikko Feodoroff, Museum Director Taina Máret Pieski and the Mayor of the Inari municipality Tommi Kasurinen hosted the presidential visit. Also, the Sámi Museum’s curators Marjo-Riitta Rantamäki and Konsta Verta participated in the occasion.
The Museum of the Year 2024 award was presented today, May 23, at the Museum Award Gala organized by the Finnish Museums Association and the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in Jyväskylä.
The European Museum of the Year award was presented today on May 4th in Portimão, Portugal, at the EMYA conference organized by the European Museum Forum.
Sámi Museum Siida is among the finalists for the European Museum of the Year Award 2024. The selection will be made at the European Museum of the Year Award conference in Portimão, Portugal, on May 4th. The five-day conference brings together experts and organizations in the museum sector from across Europe to discuss current challenges, societal significance, and impact.
