Commissioner Miina Seurujärvi announced her resignation from the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on Monday.
In her view, the commission is unable to carry out the monumental task it has been assigned.
"Everything is scarce, financial resources, time. Commissioners also have little time and in-depth work. This entity has not worked, and it will not work," explained Seurujärvi.
The TRC was launched six months ago with the intention of identifying and assessing historical and current discrimination against the Sámi people. These include the Finnish state's integration policies and violations of rights of the Sámi.
The TRC was also tasked with suggesting how the connection between the Sámi people and the Finnish state could be improved. The original plan had the commission submitting a report on its findings by 30 November 2023.
In Seurujärvi's opinion, the task facing the TRC requires too much time and resources to properly aid and support the Sámi people, adding that she hopes that the TRC will take a new form.
"I think the commission should be suspended now and it should be rethought and redesigned, so that its work has a chance to succeed," Seurujärvi told Yle.
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"Ordinary Sámi should be commission's focus"
The TRC has a total of five commissioners and Seurujärvi was the second of the commissioners appointed by the Sámi Parliament. Two members of the commission were appointed by the Finnish government, two came from the Sámi Parliament, and one from the Skolt Sámi village assembly.
Seurujärvi believes that the purpose of the TRC is to help the Sámi people.
"This is a process for the Sámi, so the Sámi must also take a stand on what they want and how to proceed," Seurujärvi said.
In her view, respect for the Sámi is lacking within the commission.
"Ordinary Sámi should be at the centre of work and should be respected. I think this process has not thought about what a system of truth and reconciliation is or looks like," Seurujärvi noted.