Open letter to the Minister of Culture: "Continued invisibility of a minority treated like a stepmother"

There was hope for restoration and healing in the air when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report on the Tornedaling, Kväner and Lantalaiset was submitted to the Minister of Culture in the autumn of 2023. But since then, the structures that are supposed to support and promote language and culture have been dismantled. Now, Region Norrbotten, municipalities and minority organizations are joining forces in an open letter to Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

The letter expresses concern that the Ministry of Culture is acting contrary to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Here is the letter in its entirety:

To Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand, 2025–01–21

Just over a year ago, in November 2023, Sweden's first Truth and Reconciliation Commission submitted its report As if we never existed - exclusion and assimilation of Tornedalers, Kväners and Lantalaiset to the government.

We – the region, municipalities and minority organisations – now want to jointly express our great concern linked to the lack of resources for the minority from the national level and the government's handling of the issues. In our eyes, this means a continued invisibility of a minority that is already treated in a stepmotherly manner. The public sector in Norrbotten takes a great responsibility within the framework of what is possible, but which should actually be borne nationally. National political decisions are now required that contribute to resource strengthening, knowledge dissemination and increased equality between minority areas.

Norrbotten is very concerned about the dismantling of the structures that were built up from 2010 to 2024. First, the government announced that the Action Programme for the Preservation and Promotion of National Minority Languages ​​and Language Initiatives would be discontinued through the government's break with the trend of not making the initiative permanent in its entirety. A dismantling that goes against the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. On 12 December, the government decided to return the funds for one year, the reallocation of funds will be within the framework of available funds for appropriations 7:1 National Minorities within Expenditure Area 1 The National Board, and thus the resources for minority organizations, municipalities and regions will be reduced. This does not contribute in any way to the revitalization of the minority language and culture or the continued reconciliation process.

Minority organizations bear an unreasonable burden and responsibility for the process of the issues but receive no hearing or support from the national side for a positive development to take place. Our minority representatives express a lack of influence and respectful dialogue with the Ministry of Culture, which is experienced as problematic.

The national resources for the minority are being reduced while Norrbotten has listened and increased the resources for the area. But we cannot bear the national responsibility ourselves. We therefore want answers on how the government can contribute both financially and with a clear direction of will in the development of the work.

Signatories

Chairman of the Regional Board, Norrbotten Region – Anders Öberg,
Vice Chairman of the Regional Board, Norrbotten Region - Glenn Berggård
Chairman of the Regional Development Committee – Johannes Sundelin
Chairwoman of the Municipal Board of Gällivare Municipality – Birgitta Larsson
Chairman of the Municipal Board Kiruna Municipality – Mats Taaveniku
Chairman of the Municipal Board of Pajala Municipality – Birgitta Rantatalo
Chairman of the Municipal Board of Övertorneå Municipality – Tomas Mörtberg
Chair Met Nuoret – Karin Keisu
Chairman Meänmaa – Kerstin Salomonsson
Chairman Swedish Tornedalingers Riksförbund – Tornionlaaksolaiset – Terje Raattamaa
Chairman of Tornedalsteatern – Lena Engqvist Forslund

My task

Met tehemä tøbja ette Norbotten oon attractive, utvaja ja elinvoimanen tänjätää ja toluvaisuuessa.

Met tehemä tövää Norbottenin tässäslevuuen, tälvaisuuen, innovasuunin ja elinvoiman etheen.

Meän mätätänä oon väsättä kyltyrin roolia ja säätää Norbottenin kaikile asukhaile ja gääijöile. Huolimatta siittä misse sie asut eli vaikutat niin kaikila pietäs olla mahollisuus sekä harjottaa ette kylttyyhriin.