The Moral Pressures for Change in Wolverine Policy within Sámi Reindeer Herding in Finland

Abstract

During the 2010s and 2020s, the wolverine, a strictly protected species, has caused most predator damage in Finland's Sámi reindeer herding areas. To increase acceptance of wolverines, financial compensation systems for damages have been developed, refining both the calculation methods and practices for verifying losses. Despite these improvements, the system faces significant public criticism. The increase in damages, the compensation process, and public debate have affected reindeer herding work practices and income generation, both individually and collectively.
In my article, I analyze these developments through the lens of moral pressures for change, drawing on Stefan Bargheer's theory of institutions' influence on moral values, rooted in John Dewey's pragmatist moral philosophy. Using both public sources and long-term ethnographic data, I argue that 21st-century wolverine policies create moral pressures that may impact the core values of Sámi reindeer herding. While Sámi reindeer herding maintains strong cultural and moral continuity, which helps protect the lifestyle from sudden changes, it is not entirely immune to them. These pressures can also be challenging for individuals balancing increased damages with conflicting cultural norms.