Gender Inequality in Swedish Legislation of Sámi Reindeer Herding.

The focus of the presentation is understanding how the role and the status of Sámi women in the kinship system and in the reindeer herding were transformed over time in Norway and Sweden. What is the reason for men being considered the reindeer herders and not the women? Has it always been like that, i.e., that the men play a more important role in reindeer herding and so has a higher status in the Sámi society? In this research it is argued that this has not always been the case instead reindeer herding has become a dominant male occupation the implementation of the nation-states’ reindeer herding legislation. The gender roles in the Sámi communities are changing and new strategies for surviving and maintaining a Sámi identity are being formed. Many women in the reindeer herding Sámi communities are today working as wage-laborers and professionals, bringing in money to the family.