Saami Council Demands Removal of “Far Northern Attire” From Game
The Saami Council are demanding that Square Enix remove the “Far Northern Attire” from the latest version of their Final Fantasy game.
The garments in the game’s “Far Northern Attire” section are based on Sami traditional clothing.
“This is not about sensitivity or whether the depiction is appropriate,” Aslat Holmberg, president of the Saami Council, said in a press release.
“These elements are Sami cultural property and Square Enix has infringed on our rights.”
Square Enix is a Japanese company known for its role-playing video games.
Final Fantasy 14 was released this month and allows players to purchase “Far Northern Attire” as part of the game.
The Saami Council says traditional garments are not just clothing, but are made up of elements that indicate regional identity and cultural meaning. The Council described the way they are being used in the game as “particularly damaging.”