Yes, there is something about Guovdageaidnu
In recent days we have been able to read on NRK that there is something with Guovdageaidnu. That young girls are warned against coming here because it can be dangerous. That there is a culture of abuse here, and that there is no point in speaking out. It is painful reading. It is particularly painful to read young people's experiences that there is an acceptance of this unculture in the communities. Fortunately, there are many of us who see this lack of awareness, which according to the figures is not only found here, but in many places throughout the country. We see it, and we work to change it precisely because we do not accept that "this is how it is here".
In Dáiddadállu, we use art to shine a spotlight on societal challenges and invite debate. In 2019, we organized SápmiToo - a conference which, through art, music, film, lectures, panel discussions and slam poetry, put the spotlight on violence, sexual abuse and gender roles in Sápmi. We did this precisely because it was a theme our artist partners wanted to raise in order to create change, not only in Guovdageaidnu, but in the whole of Sápmi. The risk of referring to it as an unculture that exists in some places is that we turn a blind eye to the fact that this is happening across Sápmi. Then we all miss the chance to take hold where we can; in our own communities.
Change work is slow work, but in Guovdageaidnu we are getting started. That's the thing with Guovdageaidnu. Such unculture does not belong anywhere and requires us to address it. There are many ways to create attitudinal changes. We do it through art, in the municipality skilled professionals work with a wide range of prevention work. The last few days have shown that the involvement of the local population is great. There are many of us who stand behind municipal doctor Ánne Lájla Westerfjell's vision of a Sápmi free of violence. We must do the job together!
