Sámi Jienat choir receives Church culture grant

Caption: Sámi Jienat practises and performs throughout the Sápmi region (Samiland). The photo is from the Sami Ecumenical Forum in Jokkmokk. Photo by: the Church of Norway Information Service.

The Sami Council of the Church of Sweden has decided to award the 2013 Sami Culture Grant to the Sami choir Sámi Jienat. The choir has enriched Sami church life and language.

“The Sami Council wants to show its appreciation of the important voluntary work that Sámi Jienat carries out among the Sami. The choir sets a good example for activities that cross boundaries and it spread happiness and unites us Sami. It’s important to have the opportunity to hear the language of your heart,” says Sylvia Sparrock, chair of the Sami Council, in describing the winner of this year’s grant.

Sámi Jienat was awarded the cultural grant because its work enriches Sami spiritual life and highlights the Sami language and the culture of these indigenous people.

The choir was founded in 2002, meets a few times a year and alternates between practice sessions and performances in various locations in Sápmi.

The Sami Culture Grant is awarded annually and amounts to SEK 10,000.