Johan Turi

Johan Turi (1854-1936) is celebrated as the first Sami author to write about Sami life in the Sami language, with his seminal work 'Muitalus sámiid birra' (An Account of the Sami) published in 1910. His writings provide crucial insights into the challenges faced by the Sami people, including issues of discrimination, land disputes, and cultural preservation during a time of significant industrial encroachment. Turi's work is currently being showcased in an exhibition at the Kin Museum of Contemporary Art in Kiruna, coinciding with the presentation of a report by the Truth Commission for the Sami People, which addresses historical abuses against them.