Mearrasámi Diehtoguovddáš

Mearrasámi Diehtoguovddáš — also known as Mearrasiida and, in Norwegian, Sjøsamisk kompetansesenter (Sea Sámi Competence Centre) — is a foundation established in 2002 and based in Billávuotna/Billefjord in Porsanger, Finnmark, Norway. Its stated purpose is to safeguard, strengthen and communicate Sámi language and culture in the Sea Sámi areas. It operates as a knowledge and cultural centre rather than a conventional commercial company, but it functions as a branded institution with its own identity, website and programme of activities. The centre works with local and traditional knowledge, including the building of small traditional boats, place names and other cultural heritage, the Sámi language and local history in Sea Sámi areas. Its website, mearrasiida.no, is central to communicating this work. Mearrasiida also runs the site meron.no, which is described as central to disseminating the results of its work. Mearrasiida has gathered extensive knowledge about seals over several years and is involved in the Birgejupmi project, a three-year international research project aiming to document and revitalise indigenous knowledge, assess climate adaptation and explore the transformative potential of landscapes. Birgejupmi is a large EU project with a budget of close to 35 million Norwegian kroner and is part of Horizon, the EU's research and innovation programme. The project is led by the University of Oulu and comprises 14 different work packages. Mearrasiida participates in three of the work packages, where it will particularly work on seals and knowledge related to seals in Porsangerfjorden. The Sámi Council and UiT lead these work packages. Among other things, courses in hunting and duodji will be arranged, along with knowledge exchange with participants from Kalaallit Nunaat. Mearrasiida plans to publish a booklet on Sámi seal terminology and traditions. Fieldwork in the project takes place in selected areas in Sápmi — Sørreisa, Lavangen, Alta, Berlevåg, Porsangerfjorden, Nesseby and Varangerfjorden — and in western and southern parts of Kalaallit Nunaat. The project is carried out in cooperation with, among others, Sámi Allaskuvla, the Sámi Council, Alta Museum, Dáiddadállu, psychologist Paarnaq, Árvu AS, Helmholtz Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches Geoforschungszentrum, National Dong HWA University, Tartu Ülikool and Ikitsivik. The centre's recurring themes and activities include various events, courses, gákti (Sámi clothing), and boats and boatbuilding. As a foundation, it is a non-profit entity rather than a listed company, and it serves as a focal point for Sea Sámi cultural competence in northern Norway.

Mearrasámi Diehtoguovddáš – Sjøsamisk kompetansesenter was established as a foundation in 2002. Its purpose is to safeguard, strengthen and communicate Sámi language and culture in the Sea Sámi areas. The centre is based in Billávuotna/Billefjord in Porsanger, Finnmark, Norway, and operates under the name Mearrasiida. Over the years it has worked with local and traditional knowledge, including the building of small traditional boats, place names and other cultural heritage, the Sámi language and local history in Sea Sámi areas. Its website mearrasiida.no serves as a central channel for this work, and the site meron.no is also described as central to disseminating the results of its activities. The centre has gathered extensive knowledge about seals over several years. More recently it has participated in the Birgejupmi project, a three-year international research project aiming to document and revitalise indigenous knowledge, assess climate adaptation and explore the transformative potential of landscapes. Birgejupmi is a large EU project with a budget of close to 35 million Norwegian kroner and is part of Horizon, the EU's research and innovation programme. The project is led by the University of Oulu and comprises 14 work packages; Mearrasiida participates in three of them, working particularly on seals and knowledge related to seals in Porsangerfjorden, with the Sámi Council and UiT leading those work packages. Planned activities include courses in hunting and duodji and knowledge exchange with participants from Kalaallit Nunaat, as well as the publication of a booklet on Sámi seal terminology and traditions. Fieldwork takes place in selected areas in Sápmi — Sørreisa, Lavangen, Alta, Berlevåg, Porsangerfjorden, Nesseby and Varangerfjorden — and in western and southern parts of Kalaallit Nunaat. The project is carried out in cooperation with, among others, Sámi Allaskuvla, the Sámi Council, Alta Museum, Dáiddadállu, psychologist Paarnaq, Árvu AS, Helmholtz Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches Geoforschungszentrum, National Dong HWA University, Tartu Ülikool and Ikitsivik. The centre's recurring themes and activities include various events, courses, gákti, and boats and boatbuilding.

• 2002

  Mearrasámi Diehtoguovddáš – Sjøsamisk kompetansesenter is established as a foundation.

• Mearrasiida participates in the Birgejupmi EU research project, a three-year Horizon project led by the University of Oulu.

A non-profit Sea Sámi knowledge and competence centre focused on safeguarding and revitalising Sámi language, culture and traditional knowledge in Sea Sámi areas.

• Traditional small boats and boatbuilding

  Building of small traditional boats as part of local and traditional knowledge work.

• Courses and events (hunting, duodji, gákti)

  Recurring themes include various events, courses, gákti and boats and boatbuilding.

• Publication on Sámi seal terminology and traditions

  A booklet on Sámi seal terminology and traditions is planned as part of the Birgejupmi project.

1. 1Mearrasiida - Hjemmearrasiida.no
2. 2Mearrasámi Diehtoguovddáš – Wikipedia (Norwegian)no.wikipedia.org
3. 3Wikidata Q11988811wikidata.org