Year of Reindeer – Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series 1/4

Jenny Silvennoinen August 14, 2020

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Merkku, reindeer herder, a woman who decided to become a herder at the age of five. Reindeer play a major role in Miia´s life. Miia`s own wellbeing, is twined with the wellbeing of her reindeer. “I spend all my days with them in nature, their happiness makes me feel at peace” Miia says. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series,

Reindeer herder is one with nature, weathers, and seasons, “nature writes the rules and we obey” Miia says. Nature will keep you humble, but also shares its offerings willingly with you.

Miia decided at the age of five that she wanted to become a reindeer herder. Miia lives in Lapland Rovaniemi with her two children, daughter Rauna 18 years old, and son Ante 9 years old. Miia has an academic degree and uses her spare time to educate herself even further. Nature fills not only her professional life but also her free time. She enjoys fishing, picking mushroom, herbs, and berries. Traditional Sami handicrafts especially leather work are close to her heart.

In Miia´s reindeer farm the herding is a way of life for many generations, and they belong to the reindeer herding cooperative of Pyhä-Kallio. The reindeer spend their days in the protection of the farm from early winter to midwinter, until they are set free to roam the grounds nearby. Miia believes that all life is good when we just open our mind to it. Reindeer herder is one with nature, weathers, and seasons, “nature writes the rules and we obey” Miia says. Nature will keep you humble, but also shares its offerings willingly with you.

“Nature and seasonal changes are a big part of arctic herder lifestyle and as climate changes, herding routines, like feeding, must be adjusted annually.”

A herder faces challenges trough out the year, and climate change has become a part of an annual circle. Nature and seasonal changes are a big part of arctic herder lifestyle and as climate changes, herding routines, like feeding, must be adjusted annually. Forests should be maintained in a way that recently planted forests are thinned to enable growth of lichen. Herders are not the only ones utilizing the forest areas in Lapland, also the military uses the areas for training, and new routes are planned by the city of Rovaniemi. All vehicles damage the forest floor vegetation like reindeer favourite, lichen.

Reindeer herding is the oldest livelihood in Lapland and should bare a primary right to contribute in route planning. “Protecting the old forests in Rovaniemi area is vital for herders, hunters, and all nature exploitation and as a part of good local life. Forestry planning should be made in cooperation with reindeer herding cooperatives”, Miia says.

To be continued….

This is Miia Merkku´s story about her life as a reindeer herder woman. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series, where our local people tell their arctic lifestyle stories.