I never thought I would have the chance to visit the very spot from which my Sàmi ancestors took their name in the 1700s. This curve of the river in Mukkala, Finland was the site of their original home. This trip was incredibly last minute, and everything was a surprise. We barely planned anything and yet everything came together. My “new” cousins immediately welcomed me to the family and taught me so much about our history. They planned a small family reunion and brought traditional treats. We were also invited to sauna every evening, fed incredible locally grown & prepared food (have you eaten a cloudberry?!), and were given the grand tour of Salla and Mukkala 😊. I only wish I could call my grandma and tell her all about it. I feel such a connection to this place and hope I’ll be able to return someday soon. #forestsami #salla #sallainthemiddleofnowhere #finland suomi #ancestry #lapland #laplandfinland #travelgram (at Mukkala, Lappi, Finland) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChFib08jFZk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=