Lateral violence: Effects of external pressures on Indigenous and local communities

The purpose of this project is to investigate lateral violence (intra-group conflict) in Indigenous and local communities on the Swedish side of Sápmi, with a particular focus on the causes of lateral violence and on formulating conflict management and transformation methods to address it.

The project uses a qualitative case study approach and will investigate current causes and effects of lateral violence in three remote areas through conducting systematic analysis of data collected through observations and interviews with Sámi and local community research participants. Intragroup conflict in Indigenous and local communities is a heated topic.

One example is the recently released verdict in the Girjas case that showed how racism, hate and turbulence can easily flare up within an Indigenous and local community. There is currently no research addressing lateral violence in Sámi and local communities in Sweden.

This project investigates both the manifestations and underlying causes of lateral violence through exploring connections between external pressures and intragroup conflicts. The knowledge generated will formulate recommendations for how to address and minimise lateral violence. The project employs Indigenous research methodologies, ethnographic methods and peace and conflict theory.

It will be carried out over 4-years, and will result in at least five peer-reviewed articles and one popular science report.