News of Haetta’s death arrived on Wednesday, writes NRK.
Mattis Hætta grew up in Masi in the municipality of Kautokeino in Finnmark and was 63 years old. He died of an illness.
He became famous in Norway overnight when he won the Melodi Norwegian Grand Prix in 1980 alongside Sverre Kjelsberg with “Sámiid Ædnan”. In the final of the European Eurovision she finished in 16th place. Kjelsberg died in 2016.
Mattis Hætta also worked as an actor and took part in, among other things, the film “Kautokeino-opprøret” and the children’s series “Hjerterått”.
Actor Mikkel Gaup says he has fond memories of his friendship with Hætta. They have worked together on several films and television recordings.
– He was a good-humored person. Not only were we fellow actors, but we were also related. Very sad about his disappearance, says Gaup.
– I’ll never forget when Joik became a scourge, it was so big for us Sami, says Gaup, who was ten when Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg won the Melodi Norwegian Grand Prix.
