Light gleams into the tent and shines into his eyes transferring a reaction to his brain telling him its time to wake-up. Stepping outside he feels the brisk wind bite at his toes sending a chill up his spine which in turn awakens every hair on his body. It's –26 degrees outside, and he is about to start another days work. This is the way the Sami, one of the most indigenous peoples of Europe, live their lives. There are over 75,000 Sami, who have their own economy, religion, communication, social organizations, and way of life. Throughout the Sami's history their ancestors inhabited the area before the present borders were drawn. The Sami are divided into 3 subgroups: Mountain Sami, Forest Sami, and Coastal Sami. Each of these subgroups are distinguish primarily on the basis of their subsistence economies. These subgroups are often at times comparable to the 3 subgroups of the American culture: the rich, the middle class, and the poor. Which sequentially are distinguished primarily on the basis of their subsistence economies also. The cultures of Americans and Sami have many similarities and differences. The similarities and differences are based on their environment, economic activities, religion, communication, social organizations, and change.
             Sami culture is based on the diverse and maintainable use of their territory in order to fulfill the basic needs of the people. Reindeer herding, fishing and hunting as well as gathering nature's products and making handicraft are traditional Sami sources of livelihood (Lapps 253). Due to the northern latitude and moderate elevation, winters are long and severe and are followed by short mild summers. In the summers, the Sami grow a few hardy crops, harvest berries, protect their reindeer from clouds of insects, and sell goods to growing number of tourists. Each subgroup has their own use of knowledge on the behavior of nature and animals. The Mountain Sami spend thei...