ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the roots of a conflict that has lasted for more than 250 years about reindeer pastures in the northernmost part of Europe. It focuses on the different understandings of space and conflicting forms of land use. The chapter shows that prior to 1751-1826 the states in the North, although already modern at the time, lacked an exclusive territory but nonetheless already governed people, notably by taxing them, which led to a series of wars. It discusses that since the 1980's the Nordic states have started to acknowledge the special position of the Sami as an indigenous people and Sapmi as their homeland. This includes a political recognition of the Sami within the framework of each state's political organization and the appearance of Sami trans-nationality that goes beyond nation states. The chapter outlines that this acknowledgement has recently started to affect the management of cross-border reindeer herding between Norway and Sweden.
