This Sámi hip-hop artist is raising her voice to reclaim the Arctic

Maxida Märak is watching Sweden’s land change around her. Growing up in Jokkmokk, where indigenous Sámi have historically herded reindeer, the musician developed a close connection to the environment. Yet in the past decades, spring has arrived later. The paths reindeer walk have been disrupted, while their usual food no longer grows in abundance. “As the climate warms, the animals in our region are fighting for survival,” Märak says. But through her unique blend of traditional joik singing and hip-hop, she is raising her voice to reclaim the Arctic and the Sámi’s role in preserving it. 

“I hope if I sing about my people and their rights, people will stop and listen,” Märak says. In the past, Sámi have faced discrimination and oppression in Sweden. But they have also been the first to take notice of the impact of climate change. This bond with nature is central to Märak’s music. When she started off as a joik singer, she established her activism with a protest song against mining. Märak then went on to develop her identity as a hip-hop artist, using her style to reach more audiences and spread a message of environmentalism.

“The only way we will survive is if we start to understand that you can’t force nature,” Märak says. “You have to respect her and you have to learn to live with nature.” Speaking up to inspire action, she has taken the stage at Climate Live and hosted workshops alongside Friends of the Earth Sweden to help others use their creativity for the planet and its animals. “I will never forget that people are changeable,” Märak says. “If you can touch them with lyrics and melody, I think you can change people’s opinion.”

Footage by Maxida Märak was used in the creation of this film.