After protests against a wind farm being built on land that they have been using for centuries, the Norwegian government has apologized to reindeer farmers.
Most of the activists are teenagers who started protesting a week ago. They have blocked many government buildings in Oslo.
They claim that the presence of the 151 turbines is a violation of the rights of the Sami people, and is in contravention to a 2021 Supreme Court court decision.
The Fosen district is about 300 miles north from Oslo.
On Thursday, police removed protestors from the culture and finance ministries. Some activists performed a Sami chant while others wore traditional Sami clothing.
After being detained this week , Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg spoke out to the crowds.
After meeting with the speaker of Sami parliament, Terje Aasland, oil and energy minister, said that he had apologised to reindeer owners on the behalf of the government.
“They have been in a difficult, unclear situation for a long period. He said, “I’m sorry about it.”
Silje Karine Muotka (speaker) accepted Thursday’s apology. She said that it was crucial to move forward and that there is now a common understanding that we are dealing in a case of human rights violations.
Although no resolution has been reached, Norway’s prime Minister will meet Ms Muotka next Wednesday as part of a previously scheduled visit to northern Norway.
International groups recognize the Sami as Europe’s sole indigenous people, because their cultural roots date back to Norway.
The Lapps were previously known as the Lapps. They are estimated to number between 40,000 and 60,000 people who live in Norway. They arrived in Arctic Europe around 9,000 years ago from central Asia.
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