V WORKING FOR THE CHERISHED HOME REGION
Karppinen often goes to sit at a campfire on the Viiankiaapa
still lacks the promised fish ladder and the salmon
mire. Hikers can build a fire by the lean-to shelter on the
have yet to return. Since then people have travelled south to
nature trail.
express their views on various issues, such as harnessing the river Ounasjoki and preserving a night train service to Kemijärvi. These actions have attracted media attention and promoted the case of the demonstrators. When Riikka Karppinen turned 18 municipal elections were held in Finland. Though initially A snowmobile trail from Sodankylä
feeling that it might be wiser to refrain from party
to Inari cuts through the mire.
politics as a means of promoting the cause of Viiankiaapa, Karppinen studied the party political programmes and realised that one party – the Greens – had been lobbying for the very issues that were important for her. In finally deciding to run for election to the local council, Karppinen was no novice. Her father had served as a councillor for the Left Alliance, and her grandfather had also been involved in local politics. Karppinen had chaired a youth council that worked locally, and she had been active in a students’ union. Having come to personify the struggle over Viiankiaapa, she was nervous about running as a local election candidate. If she attracted no votes, then opposition to the mining project could be dismissed as the stubbornness of a small group. This fear proved groundless, as Karppinen secured the third highest vote in Sodankylä and became the municipality’s first Green Party councillor. “Participating in the work of the local council is a learning experience. You must have a viewpoint on a wide range of issues. At the same time, you become aware of channels of influence, and the work brings responsibility in a positive way. You cannot merely criticise, but must also think about solutions.” Now this young green political activist is sitting in the airport café and talking passionately about PHOTO: KAISA SIRÉN
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