Despite living in Finland since centuries, Swedish-speaking Finns are a relatively little known ethno-linguistic minority. Based on extensive literature and interviews conducted by the author in May 2003 with young representatives of that group (aged 20-30 years), the article looks at Swedish speaking Finns from historical and sociological perspective drawing conclusions about their sense of identity and relations with the dominant culture. After setting up theoretical and conceptual framework, the authoress describes the origins of the minority, explaining the historical background behind the official status of Swedish language in modern Finland. A substantial part is dedicated to outline linguistic situation of the group, most common problems facing its representatives, interactions and coexistence with Finish speaking Finns, self-definitions from the perspective of Finland, cultural differences, and diversity within that ethno-linguistic minority. Illustrated by frequent quotations from interviews, the article then draws attention to most interesting aspects of group analysis: issues of identity and inseparable from it notions of distinctiveness and difference.