We are committed to the research and preservation of the traditional lavvu that has been used for centuries by the Sami of northern Scandinavia and of the Nenets and Khants of northern Russia. Unless requested otherwise from the customer, we use only natural bio-degradable materials that under normal use and care will last for many years, but once the lavvu becomes worn out - and all tents do ware out - it returns back to nature from were it came. Polyester will continue on for centuries in a landfill. Even our scrap material is donated to a local sewing school for reuse by the students.
Our lavvus are functional - they have been used and tested in the worst of storms, both in summer and winter and are one of the few tents that one can have a fire in for its size.
The people who mentor and make the products of Northern Lavvu are of Sami ancestry, are immigrants to North America, and adhere to the spirit of Sami culture.
The lavvu maker(s) understand that we have a 'social license' to produce lavvus. We have worked to earned the respect of Sami Elders and the greater Sami community and will continue to earn this trust.
We do not sell 'cheap tipis'. If a customer is looking for a Native American tipi look-a-like - look elsewhere. We are not 'white Indians'. Northern Lavvu has turned down requests for lavvu orders that were contrary or degrading to Sami culture. We reserve the right to do so in the future.
Our aim is not to 'sell tents', but rather to provide a 'Sami world view' of nature, the environment and of themselves. We create our lavvus to meet the needs of the North American Sami community; non-Sami who are interested in the Sami culture; the study and research of the traditional lavvu; and for the 'spiritual healing' of the lavvu maker. We are not a huge profit oriented company looking only for the bottom line (though we are on a budget...). We are a cottage industry that produces lavvus in our spare time and according to the seasons. Our customer contacts are more personal and we aim to have a satisfied and returning customer.
Christopher Pesklo (Peskiluoma)
Northern Lavvu
If you have any questions about this statement or any other questions, please contact us.
