the sami peoples were subject to forced collectivization, with more than half of their reindeer herds collectivized in 1928–1930. in addition, the traditional sami herding practices were phased out in favor of the more economically profitable komi approach, which emphasized permanent settlements over free herding. since the sami culture is strongly tied to the herding practices, this resulted in the sami people gradually losing their language and traditional herding knowledge. most sami were forced to settle in the village of lovozero, which became the cultural center of the sami people in russia. those sami resisting the collectivization were subject to forced labor or death. various forms of repression against the sami continued until stalin's death in 1953. in the 1990s, 40% of the sami lived in urbanized areas, although some herd reindeer across much of the region.