Sámiid ædnan joiker and former Melodi Grand Prix winner Mattis Hætta is dead – news Sápmi

Read the latest greetings and memories from readers at the bottom of the article. On Wednesday, the news came that Mattis Hætta, Simmona Máhtte, has passed away. He was 63 years old. He grew up in Máze in Kautokeino municipality in Finnmark. It was Hætta’s family who informed news about the death. The man, who became famous in Norway overnight when he won the Melodi Grand Prix in 1980, died as a result of illness. Mattis Hætta was 63 years old. Photo: Ole Kaland / news – Never forget when joik became a scourge Mattis Hætta will always be remembered for the joik “everyone” has heard, “Sámiid Ædnan”. Not only in Norway, but Europe as well. In 1980 he won, together with Sverre Kjelsberg, the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix. In the European competition Eurovision, it was 16th place. Sverre Kjelsberg died in 2016. A HAPPY TRIO AFTER MELODI GRAND PRIX WIN: From left: vocalist and guitarist Sverre Kjelsberg, musician and composer Egil Monn-Iversen and Sami vocalist Mattis Hætta. Photo: Mentz Schulerud jr. / Mentz Schulerud jr. Mattis also worked as an actor. Among other things, he starred in the feature film “Kautokeino-opprøret” and the youth series “Hjerterått”. Actor Mikkel Gaup was no more than ten years old when Mattis and Sverre won Melodi Grand Prix. – I will never forget when joik became a scourge, it was so big for us Sámi, says Mikkel Gaup. MEMORIES: Actor Mikkel Gaup is left with fond memories of his friendship with Mattis Hætta. Photo: Mette Ballovara / news Mikkel Gaup has worked with Mattis on several film and TV recordings. He is left with fond memories of their friendship. – He was a person with a good mood. Not only were we fellow actors, but we were related as well. Very sad to hear about his passing, says Mikkel. Was an inspiration – Mattis Hætta was one of our brave men who helped make the joik visible in Norway and internationally through his collaboration with Sverre Kjelsberg. That’s what Mari Boine says to news. Mari Boine was inspired by Mattis Hætta. Photo: KNUT BRY – The song Sámiid Eadnan with which they participated in the Grand Prix was important and I listened a lot to the album they released together, in the 80s when I started writing myself. So both of them inspired me, you can safely say, says the well-known Sami artist. Demonstrated for the Alta case “Sámiid Ædnan” was made in connection with the Alta case, a political conflict where Sami interests and environmental protection interests went against a large-scale hydropower development in Inner Finnmark. The case had great significance for Sami politics in Norway, and led to the establishment of the Sami Parliament. Mattis was from the Sami village of Máze, which the government wanted to shut down. The government later reversed the case, and Máze was protected in 1973. – Mattis was involved in society. He had strong opinions, and he was part of the environment around the hunger strikers in 1979, says historian Katri Somby. Historian Katri Somby. Photo: Håkon Mudenia / news In 1979, eight hunger strikers set up a lavvo outside the Storting and the hunger strike. Mattis did not go on hunger strike, but was among the demonstrators outside the Storting. After around one week, the government reversed course and temporarily halted development in Stilla. HUNGER STRIKE: The hunger strike outside the Storting attracted great national attention. Photo: Erik Thorberg / SCANPIX – Central to the Sámi movement He was very central and important at the beginning of the “Sámi movement”, explains Katri. – His album “Máze” contained some social criticism. There was always a bit of “edge” in what he did, she says. After he won the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix, he participated in the Sámi Grand Prix. – He may have participated twice. He should have won with “Váibmoshiella”, I think. He was robbed, laughs Katri. – It is sad to hear about his passing. People’s last greetings and memories of Mattis Hætta Hi! Welcome to dialogue at news. Since you are logged in to other news services, you do not have to log in again here, but we need your consent to our terms of use for online dialogue



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