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.

40 policy of amalgamation of the collective farms the settlement was eliminated in 1968. The decision of the Murmansk Regional Executive Committee on 31.01.1969 states the following background: In accordance with the amalgamation of the collective farms “Tundra” and “Bol’ševik”, resettlement of the members of the farm from the village Varzino to the village Lovozero, the decision of the Murmansk Regional Executive Committee on 31.01.1969 abolishes Varzinskij Village Council and all the settlements of the district are conformed to Lovozero District Executive Committee. 125 In regard to participation of the Sámi from Varzino and the involvement of local community members in decision-making process, it resembles the previously mentioned situation regarding the elimination of the Jokanga settlement. The administrative decision on the elimination of the settlement presupposed the closure of existing social services and institutions, and the collective farm, where most of the local population was employed. This process involved mainly passive participation of the local community; the decision was made and announced to the population without reference to the response from them. In order to find new jobs, the population had to move at the time the houses were left in the village. The people with the small belongings were transported to Murmansk by ship and then by train to Lovozero, where they were supposed to be provided with new housing: 126 A: How people were moving? Did they leave voluntarily? Informant B: Well, how would you define voluntarily? The policy of the amalgamation led to the Arsjogk Sámis being relocated to Lovozero. It was easier to close the village, where people were still busy with work. They were involved in reindeer herding work, fishing, were working with mowing the hay, some people worked in the barn. The school operated, a medical point operated, i.e life was normal. Today, I can give the example of my brother. My older brother, he worked all his life, began to work when he was 12 years old with boat fishing, then with herding in the collective farm, with reindeer, he was a herder. When the village Arsjogk was resettled, the houses and everything were left there. Everything was left in Arsjogk, and somehow they transported their luggage [to Lovozero; author’s note] on the reindeer in the winter and I can say that neither he nor my mother received a meter of housing. My mother was a pensioner, but she was also forced to move. The following extract from Zav’jalov’s article “There are still Aboriginals left” shows the important connection of the Sámi people to their ancestors’ lands and the 125 In connection with the abolition of the Sámi district and the decision of Murmansk Regional Executive Committee on 02.02.1963 № 48, the responsibilities of the Varzinsky Village Council was transferred to the Lovozero district of the Murmansk region. (GAMO.Fund285.Op.4 № 31). 126 Informant A, C.