The language and literature of the Sami people have long been suppressed in a campaign of "desamification" and assimilation with the majority Nordic cultures. Among other things, have not been taught in the elementary schools prior to the end of the 1960s. Thus the number of Samis who are able to read and write their own language is relatively small – perhaps half the Sami population of around 60,000. The flowering of Sami literature in the 1970's which has been important in the development of a vigorous minority society, is completely dependent upon economic support from government cultural authorities, because the number of readers – and buyers – is so small that no publisher can count on meeting its production expenses through sales.