The Saami people belong to the indigenous peoples of Europe who live in northern Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia's Kola Peninsula. They practice reindeer herding as a way of life.

Åsa Larsson-Blind, who heads an organisation in charge of promoting the rights and interests of the Saami in the four countries, is attending the 16th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. 

The Declaration sets a standard, she told Jocelyne Sambira, but implementing it remains a challenge.

--SABC--