The Sámi shaman does not rule out that Norway’s weak Olympic efforts could be the result of Indians on hunger strike using centuries-old witchcraft and “inflicting pain” on Norwegians.

Sami shaman Eirik Boie Myrhaug is convinced that his brothers from Canada can cause problems for the Norwegian Olympic team through their spiritual contacts.

Witch researcher and Associate Professor Rune Blix Hagen confirms that such powers exist and that ganning, which causes pain, may have some placebo effect.

At NRK-Finnmark, Myrhaug says Norway’s medal shortage could have other causes than ski wear and today’s form. Perhaps Native American shamans made contact with their spirits and placed obstacles in the path of practitioners.

The Indians, or First Nations as they call themselves, are very angry with Norwegian salmon farming companies which, according to them, are setting up along the Canadian coast, without consulting the country’s indigenous peoples. They have contacted King Harald for help, and a group of Indians are on hunger strike in British Columbia to draw attention to their cause.

– We will be on hunger strike for a total of 29 hours, one for each Norwegian herd in Canada, says Bob Chamberlin, Chief of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council.

Noble powers

First Nations and Inuit played a central role in the Winter Games opening ceremony, and organizers are listening to Canada’s first inhabitants.

Shaman Erik Boie Myrhaug points out that Indians and other indigenous peoples often use the same spiritual powers and traditions as the Sami.

– With the help of rituals, mental and spiritual power, you can stop things. It generates vibrations which are transmitted to those for whom it is intended, he tells NRK-Finnmark. Myrhaug believes the problem can be solved if Norwegians realize and internally repeat that an injustice has been done to the indigenous peoples of Canada.

The shaman knows that he must find his own drum to solve the problem.

“Trolls in words”

Associate professor and witch expert Rune Blix Hagen from the University of Tromsø confirms that Indians use black magic.

– Casting harm on someone you want to harm is common all over the world. In Norway we call this ganning, and it is often linked to Sámi witchcraft. In some parts of the world, magic and witchcraft are an important part of the way of life. This is particularly strong among indigenous people, he tells NRK.

He himself is not negative, but he doubts what the upset Indians can do that cannot be explained scientifically.

– But in a context where everyone believes in such arts, we must not ignore this and that there will be a certain placebo effect. We like to say here in Norway that “there are trolls in words”, says Blix Hagen.

Ganning is still used in some environments in northern Norway. A few years ago, a man from Lakselv appeared in Finnmark Dagblad and promised to track down the person who stole from him, if the stolen goods were not returned. The thief did not dare to do anything else and returned shortly after with everything he had stolen.