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• 1 2017-06-11T15:18:47-07:00 Policies for Demographic Data Collection 10 image_header 2017-06-17T18:29:56-07:00 After World War II, Sweden stopped registering demographic data in an effort to remove racial discrimination and because of previous use of ethnic data for racist projects and research. 1945 was the last year that demographic data was included in the census. This change affected the Sami population because it removed information about the size and identity of the indigenous group of people. However, the ways in which the Sami were categorized in previous demographic data collection also reflected their representation as inferior and as a lesser group of people  (Axelsson 2011). The change was intended to create equality, but unfortunately has led to an erasure of understanding of Sami. A main aspect of the Sami movement is the ability to self-determinate their own culture (Lantto & Mörkenstam 2008). They should be counted, but categorization must be self-determinated by the community to avoid restricting and marginalizing definitions of Sami culture. Below is a timeline of Sami demographic data collection.
  
  
  Definitions of Sami based on Categorization in Data Collection
  1. An inferior group of people, comparable to prisoners and the poor.
  2. A type of occupation
  3. People who live in samebyar (Reindeer herders)
  4. A nationality in of itself
  Discrepancies in Population Counts of Sami
  While there are estimates available regarding the size of the Sami population of Sweden, these estimates are based off of a collection in the 1970s that collected population data based on active reindeer herders. Therefore, this population estimate was heavily based off of state definitions of Sami identity and lacked comprehensive data on all Sami in Sweden. For example, there are people who identify with Sami culture and Sami heritage who work in other professions and live outside of Sami communities. This data has been used to form estimates for the present day and is still used in official documents. However, according to the Swedish Sami Parliament, the population count is likely much greater, closer to 40-50 thousand Sami. Popultion data all depends on how it is collected and how an identity is interpreted- the lack of concrete information on the Sami community harms their public identity and ability to self-determinate, and has received critiques from the United Nations.