Kerttu Vuolab


Kerttu Maarit Kirsti Vuolab is a Finnish Sámi author, illustrator, translator and songwriter, who has made it her life mission to ensure that the Sámi oral tradition, language and culture are passed on to future generations of Sámi through multiple media types. Her works have been translated into other Sámi languages such as Inari and Skolt Sámi as well as non-Sámi languages such as Swedish, Finnish, and English.

Biography

Early life

Kerttu Vuolab was born on May 1, 1951, in the village of Outakoski to Nils Ola Vuolab and Kristiina Kitti. She grew up on the Finnish side of the border in the Teno River Valley where she still lives today.

Awards

In 1983, Vuolab won an award from the Sami Writers' Association recognizing her contribution to children's literature in Sámi. The same year, she won another award for the same reason from the Finnish Reading Association. From January 1, 1994, to December 31, 1998, Vuolab served as artist laureate of the Province of Lapland. On December 6, 2006, Vuolab was awarded the First Class Knight of the White Rose of Finland. In 2011, she was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize for her novel Bárbmoáirras. In 2014, Vuolab won the pan-Nordic Sami language award Gollegiella along with Mikael Svonni and Seija Sivertsen in recognition and appreciation of her contributions to Northern Sámi literature.

Books, pamphlets and articles

  • Golbma skihpáračča
  • Ánde ja Risten jagi fárus
  • Sámegiella, skuvlagiella. Saamenkieli, koulukieli
  • Snellman. Puhu omaa kieltäsi lapsellesi/ Hála mánnásat iezat eatnigiela
  • Čeppári čáráhus
  • Čomisteaddjit
  • Sámi – Saamelaiset – Les sames
  • Bárbmoáirras

Audiobooks and sound recordings

  • Ánde ja Risten jagi fárus
  • Bárbmoáirras

Anthologies

  • Cafe Boddu 2: Essayčoakkáldat
  • Kukapa se sinäkin olet?/ Giibat don leat? Artikkelikokoelma
  • Juoga mii geasuha. Sámi Girječálliid searvvi antologiija
  • Whispering Treasures: an anthology

Translations

Books

Videos

  • Selma Lagerlöf: Lottežan Niillasa mátkkit 1-2 : Ruoktoháldi : Luođu čuotnjágat
  • Selma Lagerlöf: Lottežan Niillasa mátkkit 3-4 : Smirre-rieban : Oarri čivggat
  • Selma Lagerlöf: Lottežan Niillasa mátkkit 5-6 : Vittskövle ladni : Luođu čuotnjágiid gilvvut
  • Tove Jansson: Mo son de geavvá?

Discography

Vuolab has written the words for the following songs for Mari Boine:
  • Eadnán bákti on Gula gula
  • Skádja on Goaskinviellja and on Eallin
  • Ipmiliin hálešteapmi on Čuovgga Áirras
  • Čuovgga Áirras - Sterna Paradisea on Čuovgga Áirras

Translations

Vuolab has also translated the following song's words for Eero Magga:
  • Idjastállu