The state must engage more to protect the language and culture among Tornedalians, Kvens, and Lantalaiset, write, among others, Region Norrbotten in an open letter to Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand (M).
According to the letter, which several municipalities and minority organizations have also signed, there is great concern linked to the lack of resources at the national level.
This is not something that municipalities or we as a region have the means to finance, but a national responsibility, says Anders Öberg.
We want answers on how the government can contribute, both financially and with a clear direction for the work.
Earlier, for example, Sami organizations have also expressed concern that the government is not investing enough.
According to Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand, the government is, however, allocating additional funds to, among other things, language work in this year's budget proposal.
"Funds have also been allocated for the reconciliation process with Tornedalians, Kvens, and Lantalaiset, and during the past year, the Ministry of Culture has had several dialogues with representatives of the minority about the continued work on the reconciliation process", she says in a written comment.
"I want to emphasize that the government is keen on a constructive dialogue with the minority in the continued work".
