SDÁ 1-2-2009: Ylva Jannok Nutti

Sámi árbevirolaš matematihka diehtu ja máhttu – Akšuvdnadutkamis sámeskuvllas

Ylva Jannok Nutti (Luleå tekniska universitet)

Viečča artihkkala dás (pdf).

Sami traditional mathematical knowledge – An action research project in Sami schools

This article has two goals. On the one hand, to discuss Sami traditional knowledge according to the concepts of counting, locating, measuring, designing, playing and explaining. On the other, to discuss the ongoing action research and school development project in Sami schools. The first part of the article is based on the results of an earlier Master’s thesis. The results are based on interviews with Sami handicraft makers and reindeer herders. The interviews were conducted from the point of a persons´ life story, or from the base of some guiding questions. There are for example several concepts for reindeer herds according to the approximate number of reindeer in the herd, how special reindeer are used as an aid for the counting or approximation, and the measurements and measuring methods that are based on the body. The Master’s thesis is the starting point for the ongoing project. The aim of the project is to start the reformulation of the education in mathematics in Sami schools through school activities, and to discuss challenges and possibilities connected with such a reformulation.