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Colonialism theories do not fit to Lapland

Lapland - Finland's colony

Lapland's position has often been compared to colonial nations. It has been seen as the target of Finland and neighbouring states' ruthless exploitation. Controversial study claims that colonialism cannot be used to describe Lapland.

Literature since 1920's has created a vision of Lapland as a "conquered land". Social and cultural studies have strengthened this vision: during the last decades, Lapland has been studied through colonialism theories. In case of Lapland, colonialism has been seen as exploitation of natural resources, and cornering of Saami habitation and culture.

A study inspected last summer at the University of Oulu, focusing on habitation and land use, renews many old opinions. Historian Matti Enbuske claims in his controversial study that colonialism theories do not fit to Lapland.

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