Conference: National cultural institutions in Norway, and the role of the cultural field in the follow-up to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report

English subtitles:

Norwegian subtitles:

A broader reflection in Norwegian cultural institutions about their own role in the processes that will follow in the wake of the Norwegian Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report, was the main goal of the agenda.

The Norwegian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, set up by the Norwegian Parliament in 2018, will submit its report in June 2023. The commission's mandate is to survey the Norwegian authorities' policy and activities towards the Sami, the Kven/Norwegian Finns, and the Forest Finns. The commission examines the effects of the Norwegianization policy, and its possible after-effects today. In addition, the commission will propose measures that can contribute to further reconciliation.

In Canada, the national Truth and Reconciliation commission completed its investigations and issued a report in 2015. The report contained 94 recommended measures/"Calls to Action", for a possible reconciliation effort, aimed at all sectors of society. The art and culture sector in Canada has played an important role in the reconciliation process for the last 8 years, and structural changes have been implemented.

The Canada Council for the Arts and the National Gallery of Canada attended the conference to share experiences and perspectives from the Canadian reconciliation work and to explain the role of the national cultural institutions in the ongoing process.

The conference presented contributions from:

• Odin Adelsten Bohmann, State Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Equality - Welcome speech
• Maja Kristine Jåma, Member of the governing council of the Sámi Parliament in Norway - Entrie
• Pia Lane og Liss-Ellen Ramstad, Truth and reconciliation commission, Norway
• Steven Loft, Vice-President of Indigenous Ways and Decolonization, National Gallery of Canada
• Sylvain Cornuau,  Deputy director of the Canadian Cultural Centre, Paris
• Christina Hætta, Head of Saami Council Cultural Unit
• Mathias Danbolt, Professor, University of Copenhagen - Institutional acknowledgement
• Panel discussion: How can there be reconciliation?
  • In the panel: Anne Lajla Utsi, Managing director International Sami Film Institute, Astrid Serine Hoel, actor Kvääniteatteri, Anne May Olli, Director RiddoDuottarMuseat, Sajje Solbakk, festival manager Riddu Riđđu, Birgitta Fossum, Director Saemien Sijte
  • Moderator: Maria Utsi, Arctic Art Summit

• Excerpt from Vástádus eana · The answer is land by Elle Sofe Sara – artistic opening and ending