PROJECT THE SÁMI PEOPLE AWARENESS DECADE (2009-2019)
MEET THE MUSEUM DIRECTOR AT THE VARANGER SÁMI MUSEUM
07.09.2009
Kjersti Schanche, PhD, is a director at the Varjjat Sámi Musea / Varanger Sámi Museum. She is trained as an archaeologist, graduating from the Tromsø University. Since becoming a director in 1994, Kjersti Schanche organized the permanent exhibition at the museum and a varied programme of temporary exhibitions ranging from community and art based projects to exhibitions showcasing the Sámi Duodji, Sámi contemporary art and handicrafts from entire Sápmi.
The main exhibition "The Coastal Sámi " tells about the Coastal Sámi history and prehistory around the Varangerfjord. The exhibition shows settlement structure, religion, fishing, hunting and crafts, and also some of the sensational Stone Age findings from the area.
The exhibition is divided in different theme sections including Icefree Land, The First Settlement, The Final Phase of the Stone Age, The “Siida” Organisation, Reindeer Hunting and Reindeer Herding, The Varanger Sámi and The Coastal Sámi in the Year 2000. Kjersti Schanche wrote a unique guide through the theme sections of the permanent exhibition.