Sámi reindeer herders exhibit to open tomorrow in Hancock

HANCOCK, Mich. (WLUC) – While it might be a little early to talk about Christmas, reindeer are the focus of a unique exhibit in the Keweenaw this week.

An exhibit focused on the culture of the Sámi reindeer herders will soon be on display in Hancock. The exhibit comes in three parts. One features documentation of the 1894-1898 United States Reindeer Project, which saw 137 Sámi herders and their families hired to move to Alaska.

“To teach native Alaskans reindeer herding,” Saami Circle North America Board Chair Marlene Wisuri said. “There’s subsequent stories about the gold rush and reindeer bringing food to miners and all kinds of things, but the upshot of the story is that reindeer herding was introduced to Alaska through this project, and it still exists to this day.”

During a phone call Wednesday, Wisuri noted that the U.P. has ties to this legacy.

“There were some Sámi herders from the U.P. that ultimately did go to Alaska,” Wisuri continued.

Wisuri says the second part of the exhibit features a photographic collection by National Geographic photographer Erika Larsen. Larsen lived with Sámi reindeer herders in Norway and Sweden from 2007 to 2011.

“And then the third part of the exhibit is some of the artifacts from the collection of the Saami Circle North America, some of which originated in Alaska,” Wisuri added.

These artifacts include silverware, reindeer hide hats, and a cradle. The exhibit will be on display beginning tomorrow at the Finnish American Heritage Center. A public opening reception will be held, with Wisuri in attendance.

“She’ll be giving remarks around 7:20 p.m.,” Finnish American Heritage Center Curator Lindsey Heiden said. “The reception opens at 7 p.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m.”

The exhibit will be on display until Sept. 23. You can find the heritage center at 435 Quincy Street.

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