"We have grown up with the reindeer".

Inka Saara's brother is also studying at the The Educational Centre of Sámi Area, at the Toivoniemi development unit for nature-based production. He has decided to become reindeer herder. Inka Saara is not sure about her own plans for the future - reindeer herding is one of the possibilities. "When our father gave us our own reindeer earmarks as kids, he also gave us the possibility to become reindeer herder. It is our father's heritage to us, and we want to cherish it".

A couple of years ago Inka Saara was living in Ohio, as an exchange student. She would still like to go and see how life is lived elsewhere. But would she move away from Lapland? "Before I never thought I would stay. But now my identity has got so much stronger, and it is not easy to leave anymore. Free grazing reindeer herding is a big part of our culture. Even if there are problems connected to reindeer herding you have to start to solve the problems somewhere. These loggings have become a big problem for us."

Inka is disappointed with the actions of the Inari municipality. "The municipality gets a long red minus mark. What can you do with all the companies that refine reindeer meat when you soon don't have any reindeer. Nellim is an old Inari Sámi village and therefore it is so very sad that this livelihood is not defended. People like to show Sámi reindeer herding around when they can benefit from it, but right now nobody wants to do anything to help free grazing reindeer herding."

In Inari many young people want to become reindeer herders. "In the Toivoniemi unit there are several youngsters studying to become reindeer herders, but I don't know anyone who wants to become a lumberjack. Reindeer herding is a way of life. It is a natural way for someone who grew up in a reindeer herding family. This is Sámi area, we are indigenous people, and reindeer herding should have a number one position. But I by no means want that lumberjacks run out of work."

The future is still open. Could the situation with the forests affect that? "Common sense tells everyone that if these forests are logged then nobody wants to come here anymore."

- Interview by Eini, translation by Satu