Oraniemi

Chief of District: Siivola Martti
Mobile: +358 40 018 2580
Email: martti.siivola@luukku.com

Oraniemi reindeer herding cooperative is part of the Sodankylä reindeer marking district. The cooperative is located to the Sodankylä (60 %), Pelkosenniemi (15 %) and Savukoski (25 %) municipalities. The cooperative borders in north with Lappi, in east with Kemin-Sompio, in southeast in Salla, in south with Hirvasniemi and Pyhä-Kallio, in southwest with Syväjärvi and in west with Sattasniemi cooperative.

69.4 % of the cooperative’s total area is state land and 30.6 % is owned by other landowners. The Natura areas are very important pasture areas for the cooperative. Kevitsa mine that has been operating in the area since 2012. There is also active ore exploration in the area and the most significant is the Sakatti mine project. The ore exploration areas reach partly the Natura areas. In addition there is a peat production site in Paarnitsa-aava and nearly finished wind farm project in Keluvaara.

The biggest and most significant round up fence is in Kyläselkä. Other round up fences include Routusvaara, Nallukka, Matero, Niemiselkä, Kommatti and Tulinenjärvi.

The most significant residential area is the centre of Sodankylä, and the eastern part of it belongs to Oraniemi herding cooperative. Most of the reindeer herders live in the smaller villages around the cooperative area.

Reindeer round up in 1982

Reindeer round up filmed in Kommattivaara in 1982.
(Youtube). Filming: Pentti Vuojärvi – published 3/2013