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Rally Sweden Caught in High-Stakes Clash with Sámi Reindeer Herders Over 2025 Route

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
February 10, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 6 mins read
0
Rally Sweden Caught in High-Stakes Clash with Sámi Reindeer Herders Over 2025 Route

Esapekka Lappi (FIN) Janne Ferm (FIN) Of HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS WORLD RALLY TEAM are seen racing during the World Rally Championship Sweden in Umea, Sweden on 18 February, 2024 // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202402180374 // Usage for editorial use only //

What should have been another thrilling edition of Rally Sweden has instead become a battle of priorities between motorsport and the indigenous Sámi people.

As the event enters its fourth year in Umeå, the shift further north in 2022 solved the snow shortage problem that plagued its long-time home in Värmland. But in doing so, it opened the door to a different kind of conflict—one that pits the high-octane roar of rally cars against the centuries-old traditions of reindeer herding.

Now, with just days until the rally begins, tensions are higher than ever.

Reindeer Herding vs. Rally Racing—A Delicate Balancing Act

The core issue? Västerbotten is prime reindeer grazing land, and the Sámi people—Europe’s only recognized indigenous population—have been voicing concerns about the rally’s impact since the move to Umeå.

Back in 2022, the Örträsk test was scrapped due to unexpected reindeer movements. This year, local Sámi groups are pushing for the cancellation of at least four stages:

  • Vännäs (Stages 9 & 12)
  • Umeå (Stages 15 & 18)
  • Västervik (Stages 16 & 17)

The latest flashpoint in the controversy? The suspicious deaths of three reindeer near Umeå just days before the rally, which some Sámi leaders believe to be a hate crime linked to the event.

A Long Battle for Sámi Rights in Sweden

The Sámi have long fought for greater recognition and rights, and their battle against the disruption caused by Rally Sweden is just the latest chapter in a long history of land disputes.

  • In 1993, Sweden established a Sámi Parliament, acknowledging their cultural and legal standing.
  • In 2024, a Sámi Truth Commission was launched to assess the negative consequences of past government policies, similar to initiatives in Canada.
  • In 2011, the Sámi won a landmark legal case that confirmed their grazing rights in Västerbotten, despite a 14-year battle with landowners.

From the beginning, Sámi communities made it clear they saw a rally event in their territory as problematic. The Swedish Sámi Federation has urged the government to rethink its approach to how it handles rally permits and the impact on reindeer herding villages.

“The County Administrative Board is making it impossible to conduct reindeer husbandry in parts of our grazing areas. We are being forced to move away, which will have devastating consequences for reindeer herders.”
—Silja Jonsson Marklund, Chairwoman of Ran Sámi Village

Despite these strong objections, the Västerbotten county government approved the rally permits on January 24, a move that has only escalated tensions.

Authorities Dismiss Concerns—Only Safety Risks Will Cancel Stages

Swedish officials aren’t backing down. According to Per Lundström, Västerbotten County’s chief legal officer, rally stages will only be canceled if reindeer are physically on the road at race time—not due to long-term disruptions to grazing land.

“If traffic safety cannot be ensured, the section must not be carried out.”

This stance has frustrated Sámi leaders, who argue that the entire process favors rally organizers while dismissing indigenous concerns.

Tensions Explode After Reindeer Deaths—Sámi Leaders Suspect Hate Crime

The controversy took a dark turn when three reindeer were found dead near Umeå on February 2, just days before the rally. Local police immediately launched an investigation, confirming that bullet wounds were found on the carcasses.

“I can see for myself that there is evidence of bullet holes. They have not died naturally and not by any predator either, in my judgment.”
—Johan Andersson, Sámi Reindeer Herder

Some Sámi leaders believe the timing of the killings is no coincidence, and that the rising tensions surrounding the rally may have played a role.

“It’s terrible that an event like a rally can drive people to do something like this. I’ve never experienced a hate crime like this against Ran Sámi village.”
—Maidi Eira Andersson, Ran Sámi Board Member

With the Swedish police still investigating, no official links to Rally Sweden supporters or organizers have been confirmed. However, the incident has intensified calls for stage cancellations.

The Clock Is Ticking: Will Rally Sweden Lose Key Stages?

The Ran Sámi village has officially appealed the permits for Vännäs, Västervik, and Umeå, arguing that both the stages themselves and the transport routes disrupt key grazing areas.

Sweden’s transport agency, Transportstyrelsen, is now under pressure to make a ruling before the rally begins on February 14.

“It is impossible to say, but we will address the issue with the highest priority and handle it urgently.”
—Martin Andersson, Transportstyrelsen Press Manager

If the appeals aren’t reviewed in time, the rally will proceed as planned—but any unexpected reindeer presence could still force last-minute cancellations.

Rally Sweden Organizers Defend the Event: “We Must Be Accepted”

With the situation escalating, Rally Sweden’s event director Erik Åström has attempted to ease tensions, emphasizing that they work closely with landowners and reindeer herders before, during, and after the event.

“We visit Umeå for one week each year, with four actual competition days. We must be accepted by those from whom we borrow the land.”

But for Sámi leaders, collaboration isn’t enough—they want real changes to how rally permits are granted.

The Verdict: Will Rally Sweden Be Forced to Change?

As rally cars prepare to hit the snow-covered forests, the sport faces one of its biggest cultural and environmental dilemmas yet.

  • Will Sweden’s courts side with the Sámi and cancel key stages?
  • Will future editions of Rally Sweden be forced to adjust their routes to avoid reindeer grazing land?
  • Will tensions between the rally community and the Sámi continue to escalate?

One thing is clear: the battle over Rally Sweden is far from over.

For now, the event is racing against time—not just to thrill motorsport fans, but to navigate the cultural and environmental crossroads that could define its future.

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