I am an anthropologist, and my research interests focus on the northern nature, animals and natural phenomenon in a way or on other, I have worked on issues such as floods and reindeer husbandry in the context of global change. It has been a great privilege to have an opportunity to study arctic animals, plants and phenomenon in detail and it has widened up my perspectives to admire and question the northern life from the everyday context.
I live and work in Sami reindeer herders´ village of Kuttura. Without a doubt this type of life world has affected my writing manners. I have always admired Zen wisdom – somehow the short sentences with their humbleness and deep rooted essence have touched me throughout my life. In some of my articles I have tried to express the northern reindeer herders´ quiet knowledge by applying it to Zen wisdom, it is very close to the northern peoples´ life world of enskilment and modesty.
There is a famous story in Zen that has guided me in entering to do anthropological field work, which is a sensitive task in the northern communities. The story is about an academic and Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868–1912). He received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “Stop! It is overflowing. No more will go in!”
“Like this cup,” Nan-in said, “you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?” (http://www.ashidakim.com/zenkoans/1acupoftea.html)
And I could say, the longer I live in wilderness the less I know.
Another famous story is about the filmmakers, John Adair and Sol Worth and their discussion with the Navajo leading medicine man and the elder Sam Yazzie in the 1960´s. Adair and Worth wanted teach some Navajo to make movies and this story is about negotiation with Sam Yazzie:
Sam Yazzie asked: “Will making movies do sheep any harm?” Worth was happy to explain that as far as he knew, there was no chance that making movies would harm the sheep. Sam thought this over and then asked: “Will making movies do the sheep good?” Worth was forced to reply that as far as he knew making movies wouldn´t do the sheep any good. Sam thought this over, then, looking around us he said: “Then why make movies?” (Worth and Adair 1972:5 , Through Navajo Eyes )
The world has changed from those days and indigenous film making is flourishing among the peoples of Arctic. However, Sam Yazzie´s comment could have been about reindeer, too. I have learned, that in the end of the day it is not my work that gives me a possibility or meaning to live in wilderness, but everything is about reindeer and other animals. Only this makes sense in the remote areas of Arctic.