Diverse Sami Livelihoods : A Comparative Study of Livelihoods in Mountain-Reindeer Husbandry Communities in Swedish Sápmi 1860-1920

Swedish state policy regarding the Sam.i from the late nineteenth century onward and studies on Sam.i history have tended to treat reindeer husbandry as much more important than other liveli- hoods practiced by Sam.i communities and families.By comparing live- lihood diversity insouthern and northem mountain-reindeer husband- ry communities in Swedish Säpmi (the traditional land of the Sami people) during the period 1860-1920, this study challenges the notions of Sam.i as reindeer herders and mountain reindeer husbandry as a no- madic monoculture. The results shows that Sami communities and families exploited diverse natural resources, trades and means of sub- sistence. The study supports an understanding of historical Sam.i live- lihoods, were reindeer husbandry as recognized as one of various Sam.i trades and means of subsistence, rather than as the Sam.i livelihood