A world apart with shared history – Norwegian Sápmi and Indigenous Australia: Colonisation, consequences, and empowerment

Every human life is connected to a woman’s story. Indigenous midwives’ stories and stories of the birthing traditions of Indigenous mothers have been documented in many corners of the world. The collection of Aboriginal mothering stories not only tell of the wisdom gained from generations; they also tell of multiple ways that colonising forces have disrupted the practices and bonds of Indigenous mothering.
In Norway, Sámi have experienced a history of colonisation similar to that of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia. The Sámi people of Northern Norway and Indigenous Australians are literally a world apart in geographical terms, yet share a common fate as Indigenous minorities emerging from centuries of internal colonisation and harsh assimilation policies. Having a shared history, it is vital to remember that all Indigenous peoples have a historical path significantly altered by colonialism and for everyone to acknowledge that the label Aboriginality has been used to group the different experiences of distinct Indigenous peoples as one.