The Kautokeino Rebellion

For centuries the windswept plains in the most Northern part of Norway have been inhabited by the Sami people and their reindeer. But modernisation is about to enter the desolate village of Kautokeino, which is controlled by the wealthy merchant Carl Johan Ruth. One of the native groups (tribes), led by the young woman Elen, refuses to pay their unfairly craved debt to Ruth. Without a trial, Ruth imprisons most of Elen's tribe and she is alone to take care of the reindeer. Elen will help to bring about a trial that helps to release the men. But Ruth claims ownership of the tribes reindeer to cover the cost of the trial. Without sustenance, Elen and her tribe have no choice but to oppose Ruths requirements. In the evening of the 7th of November 1852, 57 men, women and children leave their domestic reindeer and tents on the plains. They are out on a terrible mission, and many of them will never come back. This has since been called The Kautokeino-Rebellion and was bound to have a bloody end. (Storm Rosenberg)