Experience Sami culture where it is lived

Experience Sami culture with Ellinor and Ailu Utsi, where you will get close to reindeer herding and authentic Sami culture.

“We call ourselves witnesses of truth,” says the couple, who for more than twenty years have invited people from all over the world to sing, traditional food, and stories around the campfire.

“We have always been concerned with communicating and preserving our Sami culture,” says Ellinor. She says that she has always been politically engaged.
– Ever since the children were little, we have fought for them to be able to grow up with their own mother tongue. Something that for many is a matter of course has not been automatic for us Sami.

When our children were young, we had to set up our own private Sami kindergarten. It was about preserving our roots and traditions. Fortunately, a lot has changed for the better today.

Close to nature

– This is also the reason why we started welcoming visitors to the summer pasture more than 20 years ago, explains Ellinor.
The idea of ​​offering tourists an insight into reindeer herding and Sami traditions came from employees at Foldal Museum, who wanted to create a project to showcase the coastal and highland culture in Kjøllefjord.
The goal was to offer visitors an experience where they could see modern-day reindeer herding up close.

Hesitant start – real development

– In the beginning, we only offered meals by the fire in the earthen hut, where we told stories – both old tales and what it is like to be a reindeer herding Sami today. Over time, we have built both a small and a large modern lodge for guests who want to spend the night in the reindeer's summer pasture, right on the coast.
You won't get any closer to nature, she assures.

Witnesses to the truth from Finnmark

– What kind of tourists do you have?
“They come from all over the world,” says Ellinor. Many – from countries like New Zealand, Australia, the USA and Canada – find it exciting to hear our story, and tell about how their own minority cultures are threatened.
Others say that meeting us has changed their view of indigenous people. That's great to hear!

Mutual joy and knowledge sharing

There is something very special about sitting together around a crackling fire, where the smell of birch wood mixes with reindeer meat and reindeer skin.
– When we tell our story and offer joik, we are in the middle of the essence of what drives us: transferring expertise of family traditions and Sami knowledge to others.

– That's why we call ourselves witnesses of truth, and that's also what gives us great joy, says Ellinor.

Sami design and crafts in the Finngammvann store

In addition to Ellinor's own design items, other Sami crafts and locally produced food from various northern Norwegian producers are also sold in the market during the summer.

When winter comes, and day turns into night, the Utsi family moves with the reindeer to winter pasture in Tana.

On the website, the couple writes:

"No matter where we are, you are welcome as our guest in our everyday life, our traditions and our history."