Duodjeinstituhtta

Duodjeinstituhtta (DI) is a Norwegian foundation established in 1993 to promote economic development based on duodji, the traditional Sámi craft. Duodji is a broad Sámi concept covering handicraft, art craft, woodwork and small-scale industry; it is both a practical livelihood and an aesthetic expression that reflects Sámi ways of life, regional traditions and cultural identity. The institute was founded by Landsorganisasjonen Sámiid Duodji, Samiska högskolan, Samisk videregående skole og reindriftsskole i Kautokeino and Selskap for industrivekstanlegg (Siva). Its main goal is to increase employment based on Sámi handicraft traditions and to act as an overarching development and competence centre for duodji throughout Sápmi. DI provides services, expertise, premises and technical equipment for market-oriented product development and production development within duodji. It advises practitioners, acts as a discussion partner for those establishing businesses, and gives guidance to schools, institutions, organisations and others on duodji-related questions. It is intended to be a nationwide technical and professional competence environment for duodji. The foundation receives operating grants from the Norwegian Sámi Parliament (Sametinget). In 2009 it had a turnover of NOK 3 million. Its head office, exhibition space and workshop are located in Siva's property in the town of Kautokeino. It also has a workshop in Snåsa in South Sápmi and regional advisers based in Snåsa, Evenes in Nordland county and Lavangen in Troms county. The director is Inga Hermansen Hætta. As a brand-like institutional entity, Duodjeinstituhtta is not a conventional manufacturer but a development and competence hub. It supports duodji practitioners and businesses, helping to professionalise and commercialise Sámi craft while safeguarding its cultural and regional distinctiveness. Its work connects traditional knowledge with contemporary market needs, and it serves as a bridge between Sámi communities, educational institutions, public bodies and the market.

Duodjeinstituhtta was founded in 1993 as Stiftelsen Duodjeinstituhtta, a Norwegian foundation dedicated to promoting Sámi duodji. The founders were Landsorganisasjonen Sámiid Duodji (the national Sámi duodji organisation), Samiska högskolan (Sámi University College), Samisk videregående skole og reindriftsskole i Kautokeino (Sámi upper secondary school and reindeer husbandry school in Kautokeino) and Selskap for industrivekstanlegg (Siva), the state-owned industrial development company, in Kautokeino. The foundation's purpose was to promote business development based on duodji and to serve as a competence centre for this across all of Sápmi. From the start, DI has worked as an overarching development and competence centre for duodji throughout Sápmi. It was designed to be a nationwide technical and professional competence environment within duodji, offering services, expertise, premises and technical equipment for active market-oriented product development and production development. It assists practitioners with professional advice, acts as a discussion partner for business establishments, and provides guidance to schools, institutions, organisations and others on duodji-related matters. The institute receives operating grants from the Norwegian Sámi Parliament (Sametinget). In 2009, according to its annual report, it had a turnover of NOK 3 million. Its head office, exhibition space and workshop are located in Siva's property in the town of Kautokeino. It also operates a workshop in Snåsa in South Sápmi and has regional advisers based in Snåsa, Evenes in Nordland county and Lavangen in Troms county. The director is Inga Hermansen Hætta. Over the years, Duodjeinstituhtta has functioned as a bridge between traditional Sámi craft knowledge and contemporary market demands, supporting practitioners and helping to professionalise and commercialise duodji while safeguarding its cultural and regional distinctiveness. Its role remains focused on employment creation, competence building and sustainable development rooted in Sámi handicraft traditions.

• 2009

  The foundation reports a turnover of NOK 3 million.

• 1993

  Stiftelsen Duodjeinstituhtta is founded by Landsorganisasjonen Sámiid Duodji, Samiska högskolan, Samisk videregående skole og reindriftsskole i Kautokeino and Siva.

A national development and competence centre for Sámi duodji, combining cultural preservation with commercial and employment development.

Product categories. Advisory services for duodji practitioners · Product development support · Production development support · Workshop and exhibition facilities · Technical equipment access · Competence and training services

1. 1Duodjeinstituhtta official websiteduodjein.no
2. 2Wikidata: Duodjeinstituhttawikidata.org
3. 3Stiftelsen Duodjeinstituhtta – Wikipedia (Swedish)sv.wikipedia.org