Kåfjord Municipality

Template:Native name, Template:Native name, or Template:Native name is a municipality in Troms county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Olderdalen. Other notable villages include Løkvollen, Manndalen, Birtavarre, Trollvik, Samuelsberg, Nordmannvik, and Djupvik.

The municipality is the 116th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Kåfjord is the 283rd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,974. The municipality's population density is and its population has decreased by 11.1% over the previous 10-year period.

General information

The municipality of Kåfjord was established by a royal resolution that was approved on 21 June 1929 when the large Lyngen Municipality was divided into three: Lyngen in the northwest, Kåfjord in the northeast, and Storfjord Municipality in the south. The initial population of Kåfjord was 2,482. Then on 1 January 1992, the Nordnes area along the Lyngen fjord in Lyngen Municipality (population: 38) was transferred to Kåfjord Municipality.

On 1 January 2020, the municipality became part of the newly formed Troms og Finnmark county. Previously, it had been part of the old Troms county. On 1 January 2024, the Troms og Finnmark county was divided and the municipality once again became part of Troms county.

Name

The municipality is named after the local Kåfjorden (Template:Langx). The meaning of the name is uncertain. One explanation is that the first element is derived from the word Template:Wikt-lang which means "side-chamber", here in the sense that this fjord is a smaller branch off of a main fjord. The last element is Template:Wikt-lang which means "fjord". Another interpretation is that the name is a Norwegianized form of the Sámi language name . The first element of the Sami name has an unknown meaning. The last element is Template:Wikt-lang which means "fjord". Thus its semi-translated name is something like "Gai-fjord" which could sound like the Norwegian name "Kåfjord".

The name of the municipality was simply Kåfjord from its establishment in 1926 until 2 May 1994 when the name was changed to Gáivuotna–Kåfjord. This new name combined the Sami and Norwegian names into one. It was the fifth municipality in Norway to get a Sami name. In 2005, the name was again changed such that either the Sami name () or the Norwegian name () could be used interchangeably. In 2016, the name was changed again. This time, the Kven language name was added to the list of official names. All three names are equal and parallel names for the municipality. The spelling of the Sami and Kven language names change depending on how they are used. In Sami, it is called when it is spelled alone, but it is when using the Sami language equivalent to "Kåfjord municipality". In Kven, it is called when it is spelled alone, but it is when using the Kven language equivalent to "Kåfjord municipality".

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 20 January 1989. The official blazon is "Gules, a spinning wheel argent" (Template:Langx). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a spinning wheel. The spinning wheel has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The spinning wheel was chosen because it is a timeless symbol. Handicrafts have long and particular traditions in Kåfjord. It is also a unifying symbol for Kåfjord's population since many residents (at the time of the adoption of the arms) had had a spinning wheel in their homes while they were growing up. It also is meant as a symbol of frugality, self-sufficiency, and an industrious people. The arms were designed by Harald O. Lindbach.

Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish () within Kåfjord Municipality. It is part of the Nord-Troms prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland.

Churches in Kåfjord Municipality

Parish ()	Church name	Location of the church	Year built
Kåfjord	Kåfjord Church	Olderdalen	1949
	Birtavarre Chapel	Birtavarre	1937

History

In 1945, the villages of Kåfjord Municipality were burned to the ground during the retreat of German forces from Finland and Finnmark. This was as far west as the Wehrmacht used their scorched earth tactics.

Government

Kåfjord Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council. The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Nord-Troms og Senja District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council of Kåfjord Municipality is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

Gáivuotna Kåfjord Kaivuono kommunestyre 2023–2027   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	6
	Progress Party	2
	Green Party	1
	Conservative Party	1
	Christian Democratic Party	3
	Centre Party	2
	Socialist Left Party	2
Total number of members:		17

Gáivuotna Kåfjord Kaivuono kommunestyre 2019–2023   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	8
	Progress Party	1
	Green Party	1
	Conservative Party	1
	Christian Democratic Party	2
	Centre Party	4
Total number of members:		17

Gáivuotna Kåfjord Kaivuono kommunestyre 2015–2019   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	5
	Progress Party	1
	Green Party	1
	Conservative Party	2
	Christian Democratic Party	2
	Centre Party	4
	Manndalen, Skardalen, and Nordnes local list	2
Total number of members:		17

Gáivuotna Kåfjord kommunestyre 2011–2015   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	8
	Progress Party	2
	Christian Democratic Party	3
	Coastal Party	1
	Centre Party	2
	Kåfjord local list	1
Total number of members:		17

Gáivuotna Kåfjord kommunestyre 2007–2011   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	10
	Progress Party	2
	Christian Democratic Party	3
	Centre Party	1
	Socialist Left Party	1
Total number of members:		17

Gáivuotna–Kåfjord kommunestyre 2003–2007   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	6
	Christian Democratic Party	3
	Centre Party	1
	Socialist Left Party	3
	Outer Kåfjord local list	2
	Inner Kåfjord local list	2
Total number of members:		17

Gáivuotna–Kåfjord kommunestyre 1999–2003   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	4
	Christian Democratic Party	3
	Centre Party	2
	Socialist Left Party	1
	Outer Kåfjord local list	5
	Inner Kåfjord local list	2
Total number of members:		17

Gáivuotna–Kåfjord kommunestyre 1995–1999   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	5
	Christian Democratic Party	5
	Centre Party	2
	Socialist Left Party	1
	Outer Kåfjord local list	5
	Inner Kåfjord local list	3
Total number of members:		21

Kåfjord kommunestyre 1991–1995   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	6
	Christian Democratic Party	2
	Centre Party	2
	Socialist Left Party	3
	Outer Kåfjord local list	5
	Inner Kåfjord local list	2
	Manndalen local list	1
Total number of members:		21

Kåfjord kommunestyre 1987–1991   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	7
	Conservative Party	1
	Christian Democratic Party	2
	Centre Party	1
	Socialist Left Party	1
	Outer Kåfjord local list	6
	Inner Kåfjord local list	1
	Manndalen-Skardalen local list	2
Total number of members:		21

Kåfjord kommunestyre 1983–1987   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	9
	Conservative Party	1
	Christian Democratic Party	4
	Centre Party	2
	Socialist Left Party	2
	Outer Kåfjord local list	4
	Inner Kåfjord local list	1
	Manndalen and Skardalen local list	1
	Olderdalen local list	1
Total number of members:		25

Kåfjord kommunestyre 1979–1983   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	9
	Conservative Party	2
	Christian Democratic Party	5
	Centre Party	2
	Socialist Left Party	2
	Outer Kåfjord local list	5
Total number of members:		25

Kåfjord kommunestyre 1975–1979   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	8
	Christian Democratic Party	2
	Centre Party	3
	Socialist Left Party	3
	Outer Kåfjord local list	3
	Kåfjorddalen and Steinnes local list	4
	Manndalen and Skardalen local list	2
Total number of members:		25

Kåfjord kommunestyre 1971–1975   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	9
	Centre Party	3
	Socialist People's Party	2
	Local List(s)	11
Total number of members:		25

Kåfjord kommunestyre 1967–1971   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	10
	Christian Democratic Party	1
	Centre Party	3
	Socialist People's Party	2
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders	5
	Local List(s)	4
Total number of members:		25

Kåfjord kommunestyre 1963–1967   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	9
	Communist Party	1
	Local List(s)	15
Total number of members:		25

Kåfjord herredsstyre 1959–1963   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	11
	Communist Party	1
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders	5
	Local List(s)	8
Total number of members:		25

Kåfjord herredsstyre 1955–1959   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	12
	Communist Party	4
	Local List(s)	9
Total number of members:		25

Kåfjord herredsstyre 1951–1955   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	14
	Communist Party	2
	Liberal Party	1
	Local List(s)	3
Total number of members:		20

Kåfjord herredsstyre 1947–1951   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	10
	Communist Party	1
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders	1
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties	3
	Local List(s)	5
Total number of members:		20

Kåfjord herredsstyre 1945–1947   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	6
	Communist Party	4
	Local List(s)	10
Total number of members:		20

Kåfjord herredsstyre 1937–1941*   

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party	12
	List of workers, fishermen, and small farmholders	5
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties	3
Total number of members:		20
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Mayors

The mayor (Template:Langx) of Kåfjord Municipality is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:

• 1929–1942: Anton D. Meedby (LL)
• 1942–1943: Leif Caroliussen (NS)
• 1943–1945: Edvard A. Manndal (NS)
• 1945–1946: Anton D. Meedby (LL)
• 1946–1959: Anton Antonsen (Ap)
• 1960–1963: Peder Sandbukt (Ap)
• 1964–1967: Andor Sandvoll (LL)
• 1968–1971: Hans Berg (Ap)
• 1972–1975: Halfdan Hansen (LL)
• 1976–1977: Peder Sandbukt (LL)
• 1978–1987: Einar Storslett (LL)
• 1988–1989: Ansgar Hansen (LL)
• 1990–1991: Einar Storslett (LL)
• 1991–1993: Terje Solberg (LL)
• 1993–1999: Åge B. Pedersen (Ap)
• 1999–2003: Kristin Vatnelid Johansen (LL)
• 2003–2015: Bjørn Inge Mo (Ap)
• 2015–2019: Svein O. Leiros (Sp)
• 2019–present: Bernt Eirik Isaksen Lyngstad (Ap)

Geography

File:Kåfjorddalen.jpg

Kåfjord valley (Kåfjorddalen).

The municipality is situated on the eastern side of the Lyngen fjord, and around its eastern arm, the Kåfjord. The municipal centre is Olderdalen. Other villages include Birtavarre, Kåfjorddalen, Djupvik, Nordmannvik, and Manndalen, where the international indigenous peoples' festival Riddu Riđđu is hosted each year.

On the border with Finland, is the mountain Ráisduattarháldi which has a height of . The highest point in the municipality is the tall mountain Isfjellet.

Economy

Fishing and small-scale farming have been the most important sources of income. Now many people work in education and other public services. The population has declined for many years, but the decline is now less rapid than earlier.

Population

The majority of the population is of Sami origin. Due to assimilation pressure from the Norwegian State, the language was largely lost in the 20th century. Efforts are being made to reintroduce the Northern Sami language which is largely concentrated in the municipality's largest village, Manndalen/Olmmáivággi.

Notable people

• Erik Johnsen, (Norwegian Wiki) (1844 in Kåfjord i Lyngen – 1941), a Laestadian preacher who received the King's Medal of Merit () in 1938 for his work for the salvation of the soul.
• Rolf Ketil Bjørn (1938 in Kåfjord – 2008), a businessperson and politician
• Jan Lindvall (born 1950 in Kåfjord), a retired cross-country skier who competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics

Gallery

• Shed with green roof at Lyngen fjord
  Shed with green roof at Lyngen fjord
• A view from the northeast coast of Kåfjorden
  A view from the northeast coast of Kåfjorden
• Fossheim
  Fossheim

External links

• Municipal fact sheet from Statistics Norway Template:In lang