OPEN CALL
Workshop 2:
Árviesjávrrie- in ancestral forests and mountains
The workshop invites the participants to be guests in Árviesjávrrie/Arvidsjaur, Swedish Sápmi and Forest Sámi land - listening, sensing, being in the summer with artist, reindeer herder and yoiker Jörgen Stenberg among others . Artistic researcher and curator Susanne Ewerlof contributes to the workshop through her current work on erased collective memories, the forgotten knowledge of this place and her ancestral ties. Her PhD in artistic research at HDK Valand /Gothenburg University is partially carried out in collaboration with architect Trine Hansen and combines curatorial, artistic and academic methods and aims towards collaborations and building relations in the Árviesjávrrie/Suorssá/Máláge (Arvidsjaur/Sorsele/Malå) area
Location: Árviesjávrrie/Arvidsjaur , Swedish Sápmi
Dates: Tuesday–Thursday, 5-7 August 2025 (arrival 4 August)
Maximum 8 participants
Programme: Walking and listening to the forest and mountain, including Forest Sámi architecture at the old Churchtown, guided visits by the local history organisation, and a day dedicated to contextual performative methods.
Invited artist, reindeer herder and yoiker: Jörgen Stenberg
Host: Sámi Association
Coordination: Susanne Ewerlof, Nancy Couling and Alberto Altes
We aim to use ethical methods/approaches for site-specific work and look for ways to explore and acknowledge forest, landscape and their soul. In continuation of the first workshop, we spend time with questions of how artists or cultural workers can develop ethical and respectful, reciprocal, and relational ways of working with land they visit as guests, and do not have a cultural connection, or heritage to, in particular on /in indigenous land. The Ume Sámi language of the area is considered one of the most vulnerable languages in Europe today and its erasure can be traced to the heavy assimilation that targeted the Forest Sámi.
The workshop will spend time listening to the forest and mountain, reflecting on erased cultural heritage and ways to express, perform or acknowledge this. We directly experience Akkanålke mountain with Jörgen Stenberg, and listen to local stories of the history organization and the Sámi association. Jörgen Stenberg is a cultural worker and reindeer herder with knowledge of Forest Sami tradition, as well as strong ideas about how people may consider both spiritual and other ethical aspects when making use of land in various ways.
The workshop takes place in loose dialogue with other local people.
Food and accommodation over the three days is provided by the workshop, as well as travel expenses up to ca. NOK 3500
PROGRAM
Day 0 (arrival day) Monday 4th August
17.00- chaga tea -local traditional mushroom on birch tree form sami ancestor’s land.
Evening dinner and participant introductions
Day 1 Tuesday 5th August
- Land in the place by walking in the Akkanålke mountain with Jörgen Stenberg.
Introduction including land acknowledgment yoik, & forest sami history
- Visit at the homestead organization.Lake walk, observing plants and/or birds with local experts
- Common dinner Sami Association's house.
Day 2 Wednesdy 6th August
- Contextual performative methods, led by Alberto Alteswith invited Sámi Artist (tbc).
- Sharing session
Day 3 Thursday 7th August
- Visit Grodkällan, (the frog spring)
- Guided tour at the old Churchtown (Elisabeth Allnor) - craft, architecture in Forest Sámi buildings
- Reflection, performance, input by musician and architect Trine Hansen
- Final discussions
Day 4 Friday 8th August
- Individual departures
Participants will be chosen based on experience and motivation, but also on diversity to include those both within and outside academic contexts. Several places are reserved for local participants. Doctoral candidates, post-docs, artists, practitioners in different fields are encouraged to apply. We look forward to your application and to joining us in Árviesjávrrie in August!