This study contributes to the debate on the role of spatial contexts in rural entrepreneurship. Drawing on rural and indigenous entrepreneurship theory, we explore how four Sámi entrepreneurs from Sweden and Norway engage with their spatial contexts. We employ a multiple-case study design, an interpretive philosophy of science, and elements from indigenous research methodologies. Our findings demonstrate that the entrepreneurs engage both within and across their spatial contexts, encompassing environments both nearby and far away. We also identify drivers and practices associated with this entrepreneurial engagement. Based on the findings, we develop The Sámi Entrepreneurial Engagement Framework. The framework serves as an illustration of how a Sámi perspective adds new insight into the field of rural entrepreneurship and offers a comprehensive lens for understanding entrepreneurial engagement with spatial contexts in culturally rich and environmentally sensitive settings. Copyright © The Author(s) 2025.
The work with the article was funded by Swedish Research Council Vetenskapsr\u00E5det Dnr 2021-03080; Swedish Research Council FORMAS Dnr 2021-01723 for Dr \u00D6hman and Prof Johansson, and by the Norwegian Regional Research Fund \u2013 Arctic, project number 341280 for Prof J\u00F8rgensen and Nygaard.