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River culture

Deatnu – “the great river” – winds through the landscape and is the very lifeblood of the Tanadalen Valley. Life lived along, by and on the river and fjord has shaped the River Sámi culture. The river provides both food and meaning, and its powers have created respect, wonder and a deep cultural anchorage.

As the elders say, " The river is still teaching us ."

Salmon fishing has been a mainstay of river Sami life for thousands of years. Fishing methods, gear and boat types have been developed specifically for Deatnu and are based on very old
knowledge. The Sami fishing terminology is unique, with words that precisely describe the river, fish and techniques – words that can be several thousand years old. Deatnu has been one of the world's most important waterways for Atlantic salmon and connects Sami settlements in Norway and Finland. The river also contains sacred sites, stories and traditions that testify to a close interaction between nature, industry and spiritual life.