Katarina Dorothea Isaksen – Sážžá Kati (she/her) is an artist, researcher and writer from Sážžá/Senja, residing in Alver outside of Bergen/Birgon on the west coast of Norway. Isaksen has published written and sound-based works that convey colonial Sámi history and culture. Isaksens sound-works are inspired by traditional storytelling techniques, combined with historical research done with indigenous perspectives. Isaksen has studied art and Yoik at Nord University.
Sondre Närva Pettersen is a Sámi/Kvääni/Norwegian musician, composer, and joiker with deep roots in the coastal Sámi heartland of Moskavuotna/Ullsfjorden, near Tromsø. Now based in Bergen, he recently completed his Master’s degree in “Joik and Sustainability from a Sámi Perspective” at the University of Bergen, working closely with Frode Fjellheim (University of Nord). Närva was originally trained as a jazz vocalist at the prestigious Jazzlinja in Trondheim. A versatile artist, Närva has created and performed music across a wide range of projects in both music and performing arts, collaborating with leading Norwegian institutions such as Riksteatret, Det Norske Teatret, Trøndelag Teater, and Hålogaland Teater.
In the summer of 2024, he premiered his groundbreaking work “Šlobboten” at the Arctic Arts Festival (Festspillene i Nord-Norge). The piece draws on his own field recordings of joik and hymn singing, video material, and interviews from his home region of Moskavuotna/Ullsfjorden. Exploring themes of cultural assimilation, coastal Sámi identity, and reconciliation, Šlobboten emerged through collaboration with a stellar interdisciplinary team including Kristoffer Lo, Hildegunn Øiseth, Snorre Bjerch, Elisabeth Lid Trøen, and video artist Oscar Udbye, among others.
Närva’s artistry has been recognised through multiple awards and nominations, including Heddaprisen wins for “Best Children’s and Youth Performance” and a Spellemann nomination in the “Open class” as part of Mimmi Tambas’ album “Semper Eadem”. He also serves on the Norwegian Arts Council’s committee for the National Artist Grant (Statens Kunstnerstipend).
Currently, Närva is in one of his most creative periods as a composer, with three major commissions for 2025–2027: Beaivváš – The Sámi National Theatre (Kautokeino), Borealis – A Festival for Experimental Music (Bergen), and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
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