19–24 October 2026

During my stay in Snåsa, I visited the South Sámi Museum, Saemien Sijte. As part of the museum’s cultural programme for Gïelevåhkoe, the 2026 Sámi Language Week, I gave a public presentation to members of the local community.

Approximately forty-five people attended the presentation. Most participants were elders, and some were related to the original owner of the guadtadahke discussed in the research.

The presentation examined a historical encounter between a local Sámi family and Mantegazza and Sommier, as well as an example of the unequal power relations and the dynamics that shaped the collection and circulation of Sámi dávvirat. It also considered the ways in which dávvirat acquired during these encounters were later transformed into museum specimens by being removed from their original social and cultural contexts.

The event offered an opportunity to share aspects of my research with the community, while also receiving feedback and perspectives on the historical events, dávvirat, and people discussed. The comments and reflections shared during the meeting were particularly important in thinking about how these histories should be interpreted and presented today.