Samis meet Ainus and found the similarities between their struggles

Aslak Holmberg, President of the Saami Council, has visited Hokkaido where he met with Ainu leaders and gave lectures. In a presentation to the Hokkaido Ainu Association, he talked about how the Sámi people organize and advocate for their rights. He explained the role of the Sámi Parliaments, its legal framework, and the challenges it faces. He also shared information about the Sámi civil society and the Saami Council’s work, hoping to offer ideas that could help the Ainu create their own official representative body.
He also gave a public lecture in Sapporo, focusing on green colonialism, climate change, and the rights of the Sámi people. The goal was to raise awareness of these issues and show the similarities between the struggles of the Sámi and the Ainu. While in Hokkaido, Holmberg also learned about traditional Ainu fishing, which is done under a special quota and monitored by the government. Salmon is important to both the Sámi and Ainu, playing a key role in their cultures and traditions.