Samiid Duodji

The traditional way of doing handicrafts and its persistent usefulness in their daily life constitutes one legitimate and aesthetically impeccable element in their efforts to establish complementarity and parity with Norwegian society. Yet "duodji" has been conceived of in very different ways within the Sami society. Communities that have acquired Norwegian skills and standards let "doudji" go out of use more easily than communities who maintain more traditional adaptations within the Norwegian nation-state. As the practice of "duodji" has very different connotations to different Sami settlements, attempts by [Sami] politicians to improve its standing have been problematic. As in many other fields of life where slightly stigmatized activities are revitalized, it is left to the new generation of Sami with formal training in social work, teaching, etc. to lure public monies for "doudji". From mid 1960 onward, public committees as well as Sami organizations have looked into the organization and economics of "doudji". Some significant contributions have been obtained. For 1983, the Norwegian government has granted different agencies involved in "duodji" more than $150,000. Some individuals have also obtained loans and grants for their private and home-based "workshop."