Rudolph Johnson - Pioneer for Sami Identity

In an exchange with a hard-boiled Norwegian columnist for the Norway Times, Rudy Johnson attempted to convince the man that there was a difference between ethnicity and  nationality... but to no avail.  The exchange went on for several issues.  Finally Rudy suggested that if all Norwegian Lapps were simply to be identified as Norwegians, and if the term "Lapps" was going to be used on a par with "Sarni," then everyone should feel free to substitute "herring chokers" for the word "Norwegian" as a cultural identity.

It was years before others of Sami heritage "came out," but for Rudy it was a campaign that had been underway for a long time.  He had joined the Oslo Sami Searvi in the late 50s.

In 1975, in an address to an international conference on Norwegian influences, Rudy stated that "As a people, we existed in a tribal stage of culture for much longer than we have existed as a nation/state."  He proposed that the folk tales, belief systems, food customs, love of and respect for the land, the need for democracy, the ritual of festivals, hospitality and the sense of community all predate Christianity and predate the final political organization.

We are ethnic and tribal before we are "nationality."  In a capitalistic, homogenized society, communicating these values wasn't easy, but it was at the root of Rudy Johnson's campaign for his Sami people and for his pride in heritage.  It wasn't just being Sami, it was what  being Sami engendered.

Rudy began subscribing to Sami publications in the 70s: there was need for a solid ongoing ethnic connection to the community and the cultural memory that had its beginnings before recorded history.

In a nation proudly proclaiming desegregation, it took letters of protest from Rudy to the United States Library of Congress and to the Sons of Norway, among others, that the term Lapp was entirely derogatory and inappropriate.

There were contacts too: in the early 70's Hans  Ragnar Mathisen had found Rudy's name in an UN Indigenous database in Canada and came to Duluth to visit.  "Let's go downstairs, I have a great map to show
you!"  Hans Ragnar followed and then was happy to tell him, "I made that map!" It was Hans Ragnar's first – there would be many more to come.

Many years ago Norma Hansen phoned from the west coast because "she wanted to hear what 'a real Lapp' sounded like."  When Rudy tells the story he says, "I'm glad she called because I wanted to know what a real Lapp sounded like too!"

And to The Norseman in 1989:

Dear Editor:
I enjoy reading The Norseman and feel that you should get some feedback from readers.  I was pleased to read the article in the September 1988 issue about Norway's Laplanders since I am a Norwegian American of Sami ancestry.  I find it strange that one keeps  reading about the 20,000 Laplanders.  As a part of the  1970 census in Norway, an attempt was made to learn more about the Sami population.  Questions were asked in select census districts, and it was concluded that there are some 40,000 of Lappish ancestry in Norway.  Current literature estimates between 50,000 and 100,000 Sami In Norway.

Thanks for writing about the Sami of Norway.  We are not of Norse ethnicity, but have been Norwegians since the ice age.

Rudolph Johnson Duluth, Minnesota
USA

From #24, Fall 2001

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