The Saami Cultural Heritage Week coincided with the 19th Saami Conference in Rovaniemi October 27-31 2008. The Saami Parliamentary Council also held their meeting in Rovaniemi the same week.
Saami from four countries met for discussions and elections for the Saami Council.
Saami Parliamentary Conference: Ann-Mari Thomassen, Nina Afanasyeva and Ivan Matrëkhin
Anne Karen Hætta
Ánne Kirste Aikio
Dr James Anaya - UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples - spoke at the Saami Parliamentary Council's meeting
Ivan Matrëkhin, Per Mikael Utsi and Elena Porsanger
Ivan Matrëkhin - Speech at the 19th Saami Conference
Dr Larissa Abryutina participated in the Rovaniemi events on behalf of RAIPON (Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples in the North, Siberia and Far East)
Matti Aikio
Máret Káre-Elle Partapuoli
Ol Johan Gaup, Ove Stødle and Annele Gaup
Olaf Eliassen and Bjarne Store-Jakobsen - Saami Parliament of Norway
Paul Ol Jona Utsi and Asllat Ánde Paltto
Petr Lukin
Rauni Irja Anneli Äärelä - Member of the Saami Parliament in Finland
Saami Parliamentary Council 2008
Mats Jonas Pavall, Sandra Nystø Ráhka and Johan Vasara
Susanne Amalie Andersen - Member of the Saami Parliament in Norway
Tatyana Egorova
Tuomas Aslat Juuso - Member of the Saami Parliament of Finland and representative in the Working Group of Indigenous Peoples of the BEAR