FACA

Finnish American Cultural Activities

Happenings

Kristiina Jomppanen – A Year in Sápmi

How is it to dedicate one year to language learning as an adult? How does the revitalization of Sámi languages look like in Finland today? In what way are handicrafts beneficial to language learning?

The Sámi people are the only indigenous people living in the European Union. The Sámi homeland within Finland consists of the municipalities of Utsjoki, Inari, Enontekiö and Northern parts of Sodankylä, but a large number of Sámi live outside the Sámi homeland today. This talk introduces you to basic information about the Sámi people and the North Sámi language. You will also learn how language revitalization looks like from the perspective of one student. 

Kristiina Jomppanen is a language teacher, who has previously taught Finnish at University of Minnesota and University of Edinburgh. Kristiina is both Finnish and Sámi but grew up outside of Sápmi. This academic year she has been a student at the Sámi Education Institute, where she studies North Sámi language and culture. Sámi Education Institute is located in Anár (Inari), where Kristiina’s paternal side of the family comes from. She is a true language enthusiast who has recently found her love of duodji, traditional Sámi handicrafts.

Join us on Saturday May 15th at 11am CST! Tervetuloa!

Meeting ID: 873 560 9519
Passcode: Salmiakki

Hanna-Ilona Härmävaara – Väinämöinen goes Instagram

Year 2020 meant a huge shift in education, as the teachers and students had to rapidly learn to utilize a new learning environment, digital space. This shift has brought not only challenges but also new opportunities, in terms of better utilizing technologies, contents and platforms that have already been part of our digitalized lifestyles. Furthermore, online learning dissolves geographic boundaries, giving the students better possibilities of taking part in celebrations and everyday life of cultures far away. This talk introduces projects through which the students at the University of Washington have been able to digitally explore and share Finnish language and culture and become parts of online communities. It further discusses the opportunities and limits of online learning and asks, if korvapuusti can be enjoyed digitally.

Hanna-Ilona Härmävaara is a visiting lecturer of Finnish language and culture at the University of Washington, sent by the Finnish National Agency for Education. Her background is in linguistics, but she teaches a variety of classes ranging from first year Finnish language studies to advanced level courses on the national epic Kalevala, and Finnish popular culture. Härmävaara is passionate about teaching, and she is always on the lookout for new methods, materials, and technologies that help the students better experience Finnish language and culture.

Join us on Zoom April 16 at 7pm CST
Meeting ID: 873 560 9519Passcode: Salmiakki

St. Urho’s Day Panel Discussion

St. Urho’s Day (March 16) is a holiday of merriment and fun for the Finnish American community, and one that is unique to our diaspora as it has no analogue in Finland.

Over the years, it’s become a popular festivity far beyond the Iron Range where it first began. Every town celebrates it a little differently and has their own specific traditions and lore surrounding its inception. But who really started it, and where? What’s the right way to celebrate? Why grasshoppers?

FACA has convened a panel to discuss the hotly contested origin and history of St. Urho’s Day in Minnesota. We’ll be joined by James (Jimmy) Johnson of Virginia, MN, who is the Honorary Consul of Finland for northern Minnesota, as well as special guests from Finland (MN!), Menagha and other areas where the holiday has had significant cultural influence.

Join us on Zoom and break out your green and purple clothes, look menacingly at a grasshopper, grab a drink and share your stories of how you celebrate this most Finnesotan of holidays!