Afanasyeva, A. Forced relocations of the Kola Sámi people: background and consequences / by Anna Afanasyeva. - Tromsø: University of Tromsø, 2013. - 82 p.: ill., map, portr.

8 1.4.2 Fieldwork data The data collected in the course of fieldwork was recorded with a handheld digital recorder. In order to ensure the future possibility of storing the data in archives or other digital sources, all the interviews were recorded in WAV extension formatting. Thus, the high quality of file formatting will provide the opportunity of long-lasting data preservation in achieves [KDSP 2011]. 19 The files were uploaded to archives in order to preserve materials and store them in a safer digital source. The access to archive is restricted and files can only be used by me as the author of collected materials, which are stored with the names of informants and left anonymous. My investigation was completely devoted to working with a particular age group. I was working with lists of the Sámi families with the help of a local Sámi assistant. Working with the local assistant from Lovozero, Ganna Vinogradova, considerably contributed to my ability to get in touch with the oldest generation of relocated community members. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to meet people born in the 1920’s because very few of them are alive these days or are in a good state of health. Thus, the elders who were born in the 1930’s - 1940’s, the last generation that experienced the policy of relocations, were the target group for research. The previous generation has passed away and I was not able to find informants older than anyone born approximately in the 1930’s. The oldest informant was born in 1931. Working with this particular age group of elders posed a challenge for me as there was a substantial age gap between me in a role of researcher and them in the role of informants. Additionally, some elders have a poor state of health that makes it more problematic to work intensively as it is a tiring process for them. The time was a crucial aspect of my fieldwork as I knew I was limited and restricted regarding timelines of the fieldwork. However, we managed to hold short interviews, working bit by bit for a short time for several days in a row. Another point, which arouse during the fieldwork is that some of the elder informants are not willing to speak on a tape recording; rather they prefer having informal conversations. I discussed in advance with interviewees their levels of comfort in using recording equipment. When the following was not possible I took notes only. Many elders do not perceive digital equipment as a tool and in these cases working with written materials works much better for them. For example, several of my informants shared a lot of written information and materials on the topic and it 19 Digital corpus at database of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, Netherlands.IMDI- Browser [online]. - URL: http://corpus1.mpi.nl/ds/imdi_browser?openpath=MPI1554601%23.