Pirita Näkkäläjärvi

Pirita Näkkäläjärvi a UWC Atlantic alumna from 1997 has recently been re-elected as the President of the Sámi Parliament in Finland.

“My role as the President of the Sámi Parliament is to be the official representation of my people here in Finland. We don’t have legislative power but the idea is we have our own representing body who then consults on matters important to our people. We are 21 elected members who make decisions and form the Sámi opinion on various matters such as our language, our culture, and our traditional livelihoods.

It really is a dream job, to play such a significant part in keeping our way of life and our traditions alive.

I think the impact AC had on me was instrumental to who I am today and what I’m doing now. It was such a key time in my development and the first time I learnt what I could achieve if I was bold and courageous. The whole AC world was a miniature example of what you can do if you are bold and take courageous action.

I think the learning from my peers, teachers and just the world that opened up to me in those short few years is something I’ve taken with me throughout my life.”