Umeå is Ubmeje

Ubmeje is the Sami place name for Umeå and the name can now be reported in the National Land Survey of Sweden's geodata and used on maps and road signs. 

  • A wintery view of Umeå in Sweden's north.

  • Umeå = Ubmeje
    The National Land Survey of Sweden (Lantmäteriet) has determined Ubmeje as the Sami place name for Umeå. The decision means the name can now be reported in the National Land Survey of Sweden's geodata and used on maps and road signs. The aim is to strengthen the visibility of the Sami language and culture.
    “This has been a long journey, but we have reached our goal. This is an important step in making the Sami history and presence visible in Umeå. The decision strengthens both the Sami identity and belonging in our municipality,” says Hans Lindberg, chairman of the Umeå municipal board. The National Land Survey of Sweden decided that Ubmeje is the ancient Sami place name for the settlement of Umeå. The decision means the name is reported in the authority's geodata and other products, which in practice opens up the possibility for Ubmeje to appear on maps and on road signs. The case has been tried before and was rejected in 2012, but the new test has been made in light of increased local use and comments from the Institute for Language and Folklore and the Sami Parliament. The Institute for Language and Folklore has emphasized the need for evidence of active and general use, while the Sami Parliament highlights the historical and contemporary Sami presence in the Umeå area and believes signage is a concrete active use – but not a requirement for confirmation.

  • The official Sámi flag. The Sámi Parliament highlights the historical and contemporary Sami presence in the Umeå area and believes signage is a concrete active use.

  • Well-know among the Sami
    The National Land Survey of Sweden assesses that Ubmeje is in more widespread and active use today than in the previous test and the name is well known among the Sami population, while also increasingly known among residents and those working in Umeå. “This is very exciting news. We started working back in 2012 to give the name Ubmeje official status. But now it’s been decided. The fact that Lantmäteriet is approving the name means a lot for the language, culture and visibility in the public sphere,” says Peter Steggo, former minority coordinator in Umeå Municipality, currently working at the Sami Parliament. Umeå is one of Sweden’s fastest growing cities. 133,000 people live here, and the municipality’s goal is to reach 200,000 inhabitants by 2050. Umeå has two universities, an active business community and an attractive range of cultural and leisure activities.
    For more info, see https://visitumea.se/en