Imogen Adam

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The Meaning of Land in Sweden’s Sinking Town

This feature was inspired by my 2nd-year term at Gothenburg University. Learning about Sweden’s Sámi population and the injustices they faced through colonialism, I was struck by how little of this is known in the UK. There were clearly many potential stories waiting to be told. My research led me to the relocation of Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city, which is sinking due to subsidence from extensive iron ore mining. A new town centre is being constructed 3km away, but local Sámi reindeer routes are disrupted as a result. I wanted to learn more about how Sámi communities were being affected and what measures extractive industries were taking to minimise the impacts on their culture. In February 2024 I travelled to this Arctic town to interview local people with hopes of shedding light on the Sámi and the beloved land they call Sápmi.