Defending Gállok: A Sámi Community's Stand Against Mining Exploitation
What is Jåhkågaska tjiellde?
We are an Indigenous Sámi community located in the heart of Jokkmokk municipality in northern Sweden. In the past, we were known as Jåkkåkaska, but we have since reclaimed the Sámi spelling of our name: Jåhkågaska tjiellde, which means “the Sámi community between the rivers.”
Our community is organized as an economic association, and we have a designated territory where our members use the land for traditional reindeer herding. Sadly, our land is currently subject to severe exploitation in many forms—logging, hydroelectric development, infrastructure projects, and more.
Parts of our community’s traditional lands are located within Sarek and Padjelanta national parks, both of which are central to the UNESCO World Heritage site Laponia. These parks are globally recognized not only for their outstanding natural beauty but also for their cultural significance as living Sámi landscapes. Sarek is known for its dramatic mountains and untouched wilderness, while Padjelanta is renowned for its open plateaus and centuries-old reindeer herding traditions.
Our presence in these protected areas highlights the deep connection between Sámi culture and the land—and makes it even more crucial to support our efforts to protect and preserve our unique land.
Gállok? Gállak? Kallak?
These are different spellings of the name of an area located in the middle of our reindeer grazing lands, between the villages of Randijaur and Björkholmen in Jokkmokk municipality. "Kallak" is also the name of the iron ore mining concession recently granted by the Swedish government to the company Jokkmokk Iron Mines.
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The Threat of the Kallak Iron Mine
What has happened?
For the past 15 years, our community has been fighting to stop the establishment of an iron mine on our reindeer grazing lands. Our members have stood together and financed this resistance, which has primarily taken the form of written legal correspondence with Swedish authorities—especially with the Mining Inspectorate (Bergsstaten).
The financial burden and the psychological pressure on our members over these years have been deeply challenging. Despite our efforts to protect our land, the Swedish government decided to grant the concession permit for iron ore mining in Gállok to the company Jokkmokk Iron Mines.
At the same time, our community has also been engaged in resisting numerous other forms of exploitation on our grazing grounds. We struggle against 300-500 new exploitations every year.
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What happens next?
In order for the company to begin mining operations, it must first obtain an environmental permit. This process is currently underway—and without this permit, the mine cannot go ahead.
Our Sámi community firmly believes that granting such a permit for an iron mine in Gállok would be incompatible with the international conventions that Sweden is obligated to uphold. A mine in this area would cause severe and irreversible environmental damage, with far-reaching consequences for wildlife, local communities, and especially for the traditional reindeer herding that has existed here since time immemorial.
The prospect of losing this land would be a profound sorrow for us, and we are doing everything in our power to prevent that outcome.
At the same time, we are also working to stop other forms of exploitation in our traditional territories. This requires extensive legal efforts and places a significant financial burden on our community.
We can no longer shoulder these costs alone. We are asking for your support so that we can continue our resistance and defend our land.
To learn more about how you can help, see below.
Stand with Us — Defend the Wild, Protect Sámi Culture!
Our community is on the front lines of a battle to protect one of Europe’s last great wildernesses—and we can’t do it alone.
Since 1945 we have fought to defend our reindeer grazing lands from mining, logging, and other destructive developments. This land is not just our home—it is part of the world-renowned Laponia UNESCO World Heritage site, which includes Sarek and Padjelanta National Parks. These places are treasures of global natural and cultural heritage. They deserve protection.
If you value untouched nature, wild animals, and a thriving Indigenous Sámi culture, this is your chance to make a difference.
Your donation, no matter the size, will directly support our community’s resistance. It will help us cover legal costs, expert consultations, travel, lodging, public outreach, and organizing critical meetings and events. Every contribution brings us one step closer to preserving this land—for ourselves, for future generations, and for the planet.
You can donate easily below via PayPal, credit/debit card, or international bank transfer.
If you're unable to contribute financially, you can still help us tremendously: share our website www.gallok.se with your friends, family, and across your social networks. Spread the word—your voice matters.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we can protect Gállok.
Donate through Swish (This payment method only works in Sweden)
Scan the QR-code above, or send a swish-payment to the following number;
123 487 36 91 Mark the payment "DONATION"
