Swedish state policy regarding the Sam.i from the late nineteenth century onward and studies on Sam.i history have tended to treat reindeer husbandry as much more important than other liveli- hoods practiced by Sam.i communities and families.By comparing live- lihood diversity insouthern and northem mountain-reindeer husband- ry communities in Swedish Säpmi (the traditional land of the Sami people) during the period 1860-1920, this study challenges the notions of Sam.i as reindeer herders and mountain reindeer husbandry as a no- madic monoculture. The results shows that Sami communities and families exploited diverse natural resources, trades and means of sub- sistence. The study supports an understanding of historical Sam.i live- lihoods, were reindeer husbandry as recognized as one of various Sam.i trades and means of subsistence, rather than as the Sam.i livelihood.