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Swedish Land Survey Establishes Ubmeje as Ume Sami Name for Umeå

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Key Points
  • Ubmeje established as Ume Sami name for Umeå by Swedish Land Survey
  • Decision reverses 2012 rejection based on increased usage and authority support
  • Implementation details and potential opposition remain unclear

The Swedish Land Survey has decided to establish Ubmeje as the Ume Sami place name for the settlement Umeå, according to the authority. This decision means the name will be recorded in the authority's geodata and products, which in practice opens up for Ubmeje to appear on maps and road signs. The case was previously reviewed and was rejected in 2012, but the new review has been made based on increased local usage and referral statements from the Institute for Language and Folklore and from the Sami Parliament.

The Institute for Language and Folklore emphasized the need for evidence of active and general usage, while the Sami Parliament highlighted the historical and contemporary Sami presence in the Umeå area and argued that signage is a concrete active usage – but not a requirement for establishment. The Land Survey assesses that Ubmeje today is in more widespread and active use than during the previous review and that the name is well-known among the Sami population, while also becoming increasingly known among residents and those active in Umeå. The exact date of the decision and specific evidence of increased local usage have not been disclosed.

It remains unclear whether there were any objections or opposition from other parties. Next steps for implementing Ubmeje on maps and road signs, as well as how the name will be used alongside the Swedish name Umeå in official contexts, are yet to be detailed.

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Umeå kommun
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