In the boat from left:

Michel Mikkelsen Hætta, b. 1826, standing. Called: Bánne-áddjá

His daughter Marit Mikkelsdatter Hetta (standing), b. 1862

His daughter Kristine Mikkelsdatter Hetta (sitting), b. 1864, (married to Bård Israelsen, Kvalsund)

His son-in-law Mikkel Aslaksen Sara (Bier Áslat Mihkkal), b. 1857 and d. 1887. sitting, right: married to Marit Mikkelsdatter Hetta

They are reindeer herding Sami and from Kautokeino.

Kristine Mikkelsdatter Hætta married Bård Israelsen from Kvalsund, where they settled. They became permanent residents of Kvalsund. Has a large family in Kvalsund - Hammerfest area.

Marit Mikkelsdatter Hætta married Mikkel Aslaksen Sara, and is a reindeer herding Sami. They lived in the reindeer grazing district Geretnjárga, which is in the Hatter-Kvalsund area. Their descendants are reindeer herders Sami and engage in reindeer husbandry in Fálá (Kvaløya), Fietter and Geretnjárga on the mainland.

I’m laying here brooding,

It’s dreary and silent around me.

Tears come and fall,

Thinking of you.

An angel that was left behind here,

Have now gained its wings.

Where are you flying now, my angel?

Where are you flying now?

Are you flying through Heaven’s gate, say?

Or to the end of the world?

Are you flying next to me?

Or am I alone now?

Wherever you are now, my friend.

Wherever the road takes you.

Promise you are waiting there,

Until I meet you.

I hope you are happy now.

Like I was with you.

And the pain you have suffered,

I hope is forgotten.

Soar freely, my dear friend.

You are free now.

And until I meet you again,

Goodbye, my angel.

To those interested in more Sami music, I strongly recommend Katarina Barruk (especially her song Meärkká Suojgade on Spotify who she described as “the sun coming through and melting away the thickest fog” in regard to mental illness), the band ISÁK who mix Sami and English lyrics, Marja Mortensson (her song Delvieh can be found on youtube, Frode Fjellheim (who put together a Christian religious mess project in Southern Sami called Aejlies Gaaltije which is absolutely an experience and also composed the rather iconic intro-track Vuelie for Disney’s Frozen), Ulla Pirttijärvi who has amazing contemporary pieces and at one point was a part of Angeli Tytöt (please have a listen to the below video, these three show how incredible the jojk is in its more raw form with just a traditional skin-drum as accompaniment), Mari Boine is an icon and a must mention, and finally, Cantus, the assembly who actually sang Vuelie.

I had the pleasure of making it to a concert this weekend with performances by Frode, Katarina, Marja and Ulla. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced.