Reindeer. For the last several centuries before modernity totally overtook them, the Saami had established an economic niche as reindeer herders, and before the

Reindeer. For the last several centuries before modernity totally overtook them, the Saami had established an economic niche as reindeer herders, and before they domesticated reindeer they hunted wild ones. Also, Arctic peoples often traded with other peoples for bread, which could be stored frozen for weeks and thawed when needed. Lapland is definitely cold and stays cold longer than southern parts, but the Saami weren't living in all that much colder conditions than your average Finnish peasant from Karelia or Ostrobothnia.