Jenni Laiti Explained

Jenni Laiti
Birth Date:1981
Birth Place:Inari, Inari, Finland
Nationality:Finnish
Known For:Suohpanterror spokesperson

Jenni Laiti (born 1981) is a Sámi artist and activist associated with the Suohpanterror group and the ČSV cultural movement. She is the public spokesperson for Suohpanterror, whose members otherwise remain anonymous.[1]

Born in Inari, Finland, Laiti is based in Jokkmokk, Sweden, where she herds reindeer with her husband and two children.[2] Her father was Sámi and her mother Finnish, but Sámi was not spoken in her childhood home; she later learned the language.[3] Laiti studied Sámi handicrafts and culture at Umeå University.[4]

Laiti's art includes performance art and installation pieces, which serve as a tool for her activism on climate change, decolonization, and Sámi rights.[5] Laiti was the developer of the 2018 Red Line demonstration to protest the Arctic Ocean Railway. In the action, which was organized with Greenpeace, Sámi youth organization, and Suohpanterror, people dressed in red clothing, many wearing traditional Sámi gákti, held red posts and banners to block the proposed railway alignment.[6]

In 2013, she edited the sixth edition of Elisabeth Utsi Gaup's Sámi-languages children's songbook, Suga Suga Su.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Toijonen. Siskotuulikki. 15 May 2016. Suohpanterror ampuu tahallaan yli. fi. Suohpanterror Deliberately Overshoots. Kansan Uutiset. Helsinki, Finland. 2021-09-29.
  2. Sámi Culture Strikes Back. Kudel. Silja. November 2017. Blue Wings. 0358-7703. 36–37. 2021-09-30.
  3. Web site: Jenni Laiti is looking out for Sámi interests. 6 February 2015. Luhta. Uralistica. 2021-09-30.
  4. Web site: Jenni Laiti: Forewalkers. 6 February 2018. 2021-09-30. Art il Biennial. Ii, Finland.
  5. News: Lakkala. Aletta. 8 September 2018. Punaisiin pukeutuneet ihmisjoukot vetävät Ylä-Lappiin rajoja estääkseen Jäämeren radan tulon. fi. Crowds dressed in red draw borders in Upper Lapland to prevent the Arctic Ocean railway from entering. Yle. 2021-09-30.
  6. Web site: Tamminen . Jari . 7 September 2018 . Jäämeren rata ei ole tervetullut . The Arctic Ocean Railway Is Not Welcome . 2021-10-01 . Häiriköt-Päämaja . Helsinki, Finland . fi.
  7. News: Aikio. Jouni. 20 November 2013. Suga suga su -girjjis ođasmahttojuvvon preanttus. se. Suga Suga Su being updated. Yle. 2021-09-30.