Skolt Sámi Heritage House

The Skolt Sámi Heritage House, located in the village of Sevettijärvi, presents the culture and traditions of the Skolt Sámi. The village of Sevettijärvi is the centre for Finland’s Skolt Sámi culture in regard to its number of inhabitants and preservation of the culture. Originally, the Skolt Sámi lived in Pechenga on the Kola Peninsula, in the area of the present Russia. As a result of World War II, the Sámi of Suonjel (Suonikylä) were, after an evacuation period, settled in the Sevettijärvi – Näätämö area in 1949.

The objects, films, photographs and texts at the permanent exhibition of the Skolt Sámi Heritage House recount the history of the Skolt Sámi in the Sevettijärvi-Näätämö Area. The Skolt Sámi Heritage House is located at an old Skolt Sámi house. The State built many corresponding houses in the eastern part of the Inari municipality in the late 1940s when the Skolt Sámi who had been evacuated from Petsamo in the Winter War were allocated places of dwelling in Finland’s territory. The majority of the Skolt Sámi who settled down in Sevettijärvi were Skolt Sámi people from the village of Suonikylä.

The Skolt Sámi Heritage House operates in an old Skolt Sámi homestead that includes a “Skolt home” and its outbuilding. In connection with the Heritage House, there is an open-air museum which introduces the visitors to the summer place of the Suonjel sijd, or Lapp village.

In connection with the Skolt Sámi Heritage House there is a small museum shop that sells Skolt Sámi crafts and literature. Free entry.