The National Museum of Finland has successfully completed the repatriation of a unique collection of 19th-century Skolt Sámi ceremonial headdresses and historically vital community registers to the Sámi Parliament. These items, specifically the ornate 'Ládjogahpir' or horn hats, were highly significant markers of social status and spiritual identity within the Skolt Sámi community before being collected by ethnographers during the Finnish national awakening. The return marks a pivotal moment in the decolonization of Finnish museums.
Unlike previous returns focused on general tools, this collection includes genealogical records and ritual garments that are essential for the revitalization of Skolt Sámi traditions. The artifacts will be housed in the Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos in Inari, where they will be accessible for community research and traditional education. This repatriation is part of a broader national initiative to recognize and repair historical injustices against the indigenous peoples of the Arctic.