«Samer er vort rette nationale navn» – hundre års sørsamiske representasjoner i nordtrønderske aviser

Abstract

Abstract In this article, I show how South Saami people and Saami matters are represented in Mid-Norwegian regional newspapers from the 1880s to 1990. My focus is on the South Saami as most previous research on media representation has had a North Saami focus. The questions asked are: To what extent and how are Saami matters represented in the newspapers? How do the papers represent South Saami identity, and to what extent and how are South Saami voices represented? The texts fall into four main categories: reindeer herding; Saami politics; school and language; history and culture. Social Darwinist or racial biological views are virtually non-existent in my material, although quite common in late 19th and early 20th century topographical literature about the Saami. There are examples of stereotyping and othering, mostly before the 1960s, but in general, the regional newspapers of my study take a respectful interest in Saami matters, although Saami matters do not make up a substantial part of the newspaper content until the 1970s.