An exhibition centered on the life and work of Johan Turi, a pioneering Sami author, has opened to provide insight into the experiences of Europe’s only recognized Indigenous people. Turi’s 1910 book, 'Muitalus sámiid birra' (An Account of the Sami), serves as the foundation for the exhibit, offering a rare, firsthand perspective on Sami culture, belief systems, and daily life at the turn of the 20th century.

The exhibition emphasizes that Turi’s primary motivation for writing was to document the reality of Sami life during a period of significant upheaval. According to the materials presented, Turi sought to address the impact of systemic racism, ongoing land disputes, and the pressures of industrial encroachment on traditional Sami territories. By writing in his own language, Turi became a foundational figure in Sami literature, aiming to correct external narratives about his community.

While the exhibition focuses on historical documentation, it draws direct parallels to the present day. It suggests that the struggles Turi faced—specifically regarding land rights and cultural preservation—are not merely historical artifacts but are ongoing issues for the Sami people in modern Sweden. The exhibit uses Turi’s multi-perspectival drawings and written accounts to bridge the gap between the early 1900s and contemporary challenges, highlighting a continuity of struggle that persists over a century later.