Veikko Paltto, a carpenter and master boat builder who lives on the shore of Lake Inari, was the son of Hilma and Sammeli Paltto and grew up in Tsuolisvuono. When his father Sammeli died in 1955, Veikko had to find work and support his mother. Small scale dairy farming ensured milk for the family and, as a reindeer herder, Veikko learned the skills of handling reindeer.

Veikko became interested in boat building as a little boy while he watched his father making boats. Many a boat, large and small, made by Veikko have sailed Lake Inari. Sleds, sleighs and Sámi pulkhas were fashioned by him as well as the practical objects needed in the home.

Some French travel agents got the idea of starting a real reindeer farm at the end of the 1980s in the tourist center at La Clusaz. Veikko Paltto’s reindeer husbandry skills were needed as the French lacked the ability to handle reindeer. Bernard Zentill, who had for years guided French skiing tourists, contacted Veikko and thus Veikko moved to the tourist center with eight reindeer. Although part of the wintertime is spent in France, Veikko spends summers in the landscapes of his home in Tsuolisvuono.

Ella Sarre