Just before Christmas, a new outfit was put up for sale for use in the online role-playing game Final Fantasy XIV. The suit – called Far North Attire – is clearly inspired by Sami culture, and now the Sami Council demands that Square Enix withdraw it.
Sami Council President Aslak Holmberg.
Kristoffer Hætta Myhre/The Sami Council
In a press release, the council writes that it has put forward its demands in a letter sent to Square Enix. Sami council president Aslak Holmberg explains that the game developer made the suit without obtaining permission, which he believes violates Sami rights.
– The Sami Council is of the opinion that this case is particularly harmful because Sami clothing traditions are not only aesthetic. They are also very important as parts of Sami identity, linked to meaning, content and connection, says the press release.
– By creating this product, Square Enix has allowed its 41 million players to dress up as Sami, and let them dress in Sami identity without our permission, which contributes to the dilution of our culture.
The Sami Council refers to a agreement it has entered into with Disney for the use of clothes, music, stories and language with roots in Sami culture. This was entered into in 2019, in connection with the production of the animated film Frost 2.
The hope is now to establish a similar dialogue with the gaming industry around indigenous rights and cultural ownership.
Gamer.no has asked Square Enix for a comment on the matter, but did not receive a reply before the article was published. We will update the matter if we hear anything.
