News | Spring highlights and what’s next this autumn in MARCEN

The MARCEN team is back from holiday and is currently working on several articles alongside archival research and fieldwork.

The final report of the Swedish Sámi Truth Commission is expected at the end of September, enabling a more in-depth comparison of the Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish commissions. The project is also preparing to approach commissioners for interviews in spring 2027.

Below you can read more updates on what MARCEN team has done over the spring and what to expect in the autumn.

Sámi truth and reconciliation in Enontekiö

In March, MARCEN organised a panel discussion in Enontekiö, on the Finnish side of Sápmi, together with Saami Árvvut ry and Galggojávri siida. The discussion focused on the Sámi truth and reconciliation commissions, their aftermath, and legal mobilisation in Sápmi, particularly in relation to territorial rights. Read more about the panel here.

Visit to Várdduo

In May, MARCEN PI Daniela Alaattinoğlu and doctoral researchers Roosa Helenius and Valpuri Alanen visited Várdduo – the Centre for Sámi Research at Umeå University. The visit included a presentation of ongoing research and meetings with collaborators.

Nils Klim Seminar Series

From March to June, the project organised the Nils Klim Seminar Series on Transitional Justice in Settler States. The webinar series featured six guest speakers: Professor Eva Josefsen, Docent and Researcher Otso Kortekangas, Professor Astri Dankertsen, Senior Legal Adviser and Commissioner Láilá Susanne Vars, Associate Professor Billy-Ray Belcourt, and Doctoral Researcher Oula-Antti Labba. The conversations drew on expertise from Indigenous and legal studies, political science, history, sociology, and creative writing, examining how transitional justice processes unfold in states without formal political transition. All recordings of the webinars are available here.

Art, science and intimate gender violence

On 22 September 2026, MARCEN will be organising an art and science panel discussion on intimate gender violence, Indigenous rights and transitional justice in cooperation with the Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy. The event takes place in connection with the Finnish premiere of Árru, directed by Elle Sofe Sara, who will also participate in the panel discussion. Read more here.

 

Photo: Hanna Oksanen / University of Turku