The Norwegian Sámi Association ( ; ; ; ), also known as NSR, is the largest

Sámi Acronyms * SAMI, ''Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange'', a closed-captioning format developed by Microsoft * Saudi Arabian Military Industries, a government-owned defence company * South African Malaria Initiative, a virtual expertise ...

organization in

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of ...

. The association was founded in 1968.

Purpose

The NSR actively runs cultural, social, and informational work through local groups and Sámi associations. In total, 24 Sámi associations are attached to the NSR. The NSR is also active politically, running for elections in ''Sametinget'' (the

Sámi Parliament of Norway The Sámi Parliament of Norway (, , Lule Sami and , , , ) is the representative body for people of Sámi heritage in Norway. It acts as an institution of cultural autonomy for the Sami people of Norway. The parliament opened on 9 October ...

) and sending delegates to the Sámi Council. The NSR was founded in 1968, so it has been contributing to the development of Sámi society and culture since before the Sámi Parliament was established. The NSR goal is to unite the Sámi people across different special interests. As such, the NSR is independent of any outside political parties or religions. Since the establishment of the Sámi Parliament in 1989, the NSR has held the leadership and presidency of the organization. The Sámi Parliament presidents have been

Ole Henrik Magga Ole Henrik Magga (born 12 August 1947) is a Sámi linguist, professor and politician from Kautokeino Municipality, Norway. As a linguist As a linguist, Magga is best known for his work on syntax. His master's thesis at the University of Osl ...

from

Kautokeino Kautokeino () may refer to: Places *Kautokeino Municipality (also known as: ), a municipality in Finnmark county, Norway *Kautokeino (village) , , or is the administrative centre of Kautokeino Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. The vill ...

(1989–1997), Sven-Roald Nystø from

Tysfjord or is a List of former municipalities of Norway, former municipality in Nordland county, Norway. The municipality existed from 1869 until its dissolution in 2020. The area is now part of Narvik Municipality and Hamarøy Municipality in the Dist ...

(1997–2005), and Aili Keskitalo from

(2005–2007, 2013–2016 and 2017–2021).

Presidents

The following table lists the presidents of the NSR since its founding.

References

External links

Norwegian Sámi Association
Sámi organisations Saami Council Sámi in Norway Indigenous rights organizations in Europe Indigenous organisations in Norway Political parties of minorities in Norway {{Norway-org-stub