In this edition of “First Voices Radio,” Host Tiokasin Ghosthorse welcomes a very special guest from Sweden. Laila Spik was born in Jokkmokk above the Arctic Circle in the Swedish part of Sapmi. She was educated as as a children’s teacher but after a bad accident her life changed and she decided to become a teacher of her Sami culture. Laila grew up in a very conservative (ie. traditional) family that lived in the old way in relationship with nature, spirit values, culture, language and tradition. Laila says she is very grateful to her father and her mother—for it was her parents who felt it was important to pass their knowledge down to their own children. Laila also says that it was because of this knowledge that they survived in Arctic. Laila's goal now is to give this old knowledge about her Sami tradition and lifestyle to her people—specially young people—and to people around the world.

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