The controversial conclusion of the historical profile: "The Friends' should be classed as indigenous peoples"

Dick Harrison is a widely acclaimed popular historian who specializes in medieval and modern history. He has also written works of fiction.

What is less well known is his studies on the Friends. There is a consensus among historical researchers that have found a people who have migrated from Torne Valley and northern Finland towards Norway.

Disputed whether the people remain

According to Dick Harrison, there are good enough historical sources on this. On the other hand, it is disputed whether it can be said that the people still exist today.

"That's the big question, whether the people ever die out or whether we have continuity," he says.

Why he wants to see indigenous status

He himself firmly asserts that the latter is the case. But at the same time, it's not a wooden topic among historians — something he regrets.

"The sad thing is that no one is arguing about it at all because the friends are not in the area of Sweden where the major universities are located. The friends have been forgotten when our professionalized history books have been written," he says.

In the clip, he talks about why he believes the Friendsmen should be classified as an indigenous people.