According to the Land Act of 1902, property could be transferred only to Norwegian citizens (i.e., persons able to speak, read and write Norwegian), and proficiency in the Norwegian language continued to be a criterion for buying or leasing state land until the 1940s. For almost a century, the Sami language was prohibited in Norwegian schools, from 1860 to 1959. It takes time to fundamentally change general frameworks in politics, legislation and ordinances, as well as myths and attitudes, to appropriately redress and reclaim Sami culture, language, traditions and social needs; including equitable access to health care, education and employment and other determinants of health. Many people remain influenced by past assimilation policies despite the official legislation and policies having been reversed.