Next week Gustavus welcomes Sofia Jannok, a twice-Grammy-nominated artist, to campus as this year’s artist-in-residence.

Since its debut in 1989 the OUT OF SCANDINAVIA artist-in-residence program has hosted a prominent Scandinavian artist or writer almost every year for a week.

The program seeks to foster strong ties between Gustavus and the Nordic countries, introduce more Scandinavian culture to the Gustavus community and bring speakers who engage with students about relevant world issues.

The Scandinavian Studies faculty invites an artist who can enhance a course being offered by the department and can help students connect their coursework with the world.

Professor Lindqvist, Associate Professor of Scandinavian Studies, is teaching a 300-level course in Swedish about Swedish poetry and music while Professor Kjerstin Moody, Chair of the Scandinavian Studies department, is teaching a 300-level course in English entitled “Picturing the North: Representations versus Realities in Arctic Scandinavia”.

“We thought bringing a Sámi musician from Arctic Sweden would be ideal and Sofia Jannok is a dream choice,” Professor Lindqvist said. “Sofia is a young pioneering Sámi musician and environmental activist whose art and political engagement is inspiring a new generation of people worldwide. She has been at the forefront of indigenous activists worldwide who are pushing for policies to address climate change, calling attention to how the denigration of the environment is affecting the livelihoods and distinctive cultures of indigenous people.”

Jannok recently protested on behalf of the indigenous people at the COP21 climate conference in Paris.

Other departments besides Scandinavian Studies wanted Sofia to visit some of their courses and speak with their students during her stay.

She is scheduled to visit chemistry, geography, religion and theatre courses in addition to scandinavian studies ones to talk about the impact of climate change on indigenous communities.

“It is extremely important to her to meet other indigenous people here in the Upper Midwest during her visit and to learn about local indigenous history, so we’ve made a point of working those things into her schedule,” Professor Lindqvist said.

Jannok has a busy schedule with all the classes she will be visiting, along with her scheduled events.

“The three evening events – a music colloquium, teach-in-panel, and concert – are free and open to the public. I hope students and community members take advantage of this amazing opportunity of having Sofia on campus,” Lead Swedish tutor Britta Johnson said.

On Monday, May 2 Jannok will be giving a lecture in Bjöling Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Followed by a  teach-in-panel on Wednesday, May 4 where Jannok will be joined by other indigenous activists and scholars including Gustavus’ own Sgt. Norma Witter, Assistant Professor of Geography Joaquín Villanueva, Professor Emeritus of Scandinavian Studies Roland Thorstensson, Assistant Professor of English Sun Hee Lee and Ally Hosman ‘16.

“The goal of Wednesday night’s teach-in-panel is not only to educate everyone about the Sámi people and the issues they face, but also about those immediate issues relevant to all indigenous people around the world today,” Professor Lindqvist said.  “We also see Sofia’s visit as a continuation of this year’s MayDay! theme of divestment and investment as Sofia has taken an aggressive stance against multinational mining companies who have sought to establish mines on Sámi lands.”

On Thursday, May 5 there will be a concert held in the Linnaeus Arboretum at 7 p.m. with Alumni Hall as a rain location. There will be no chairs set up so people are encouraged to bring their own or blankets if they would like to sit. Sofia will be singing in three different languages: North Sámi, Swedish, and English.

“Being involved in music at Gustavus, I am most excited about her concert. I enjoy listening to new music and I am excited to hear it performed live.  It will also be extra special to have it in the arboretum and we are keeping our fingers crossed that it will not rain,” Johnson said.

Fellow Swedish tutor and exchange student Daniel Barnes is also looking forward to the open air concert.

“It’s rare that you get the chance to hear Sami music,” Barnes said. “Overall I think it’s going to be a great week, I would encourage all Gusties to make the most of this opportunity and attend her events on campus.”

The Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library has all four of Sofia’s albums available for anyone who would like to listen to her songs before the concert, they are also on YouTube.

The library always buys the artist-in-residence’s books or albums and will be featuring a special exhibit to help spread awareness about indigenous culture, issues, and rights worldwide.

“As an exchange student from Sweden it is going to be very fun having a Swedish artist coming to Gustavus to perform and giving talks. I feel it is important that she is talking about the Sámi being a minority in Sweden because it relates very much to the history of America and its indigenous people,” Swedish tutor Eric Lindeberg said.

The Swedish tutors and Scandinavian department have worked hard preparing for her visit along with coordinating with other departments on campus, including Event Services and the Marketing Department.

“Sofia’s visit has involved more people and partners than any other OUT OF SCANDINAVIA program we’ve ever done, including the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. There will be a film team from Swedish Television’s documentary division accompanying Sofia during her entire U.S. visit, which means that Gustavus will be featured in a Swedish Television documentary series later this year,” Professor Lindqvist said. “We are convinced this will be the kind of unforgettable week that students, faculty and staff will remember always, even long after they leave Gustavus.”