# Hattfjelldal Municipality

Hattfjelldal (Norwegian) or Aarborte (Southern Sami) is a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Helgeland traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Hattfjelldal. Other villages include Grubben, Svenskvollen, and Varntresk. Hattfjelldal Airfield is located in the village of Hattfjelldal.
The 2,684-square-kilometre (1,036 sq mi) municipality is the 20th largest by area out of the 357 municipalities in Norway. Hattfjelldal is the 315th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 1,284. The municipality's population density is 0.5 inhabitants per square kilometre (1.3/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 14.4% over the previous 10-year period.
Hattfjelldal is one of the last strongholds for the severely endangered Southern Sami language. It was also one of the municipalities in Norway involved in the Terra Securities scandal.

## General information

The municipality of Hattfjelldal was established in 1862 when it was separated from the large Vefsn Municipality. The initial population of Hattfjelldal Municipality was 961. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the part of Hattfjelldal on the north side of the lake Røsvatnet (population: 168) was transferred to the neighboring Hemnes Municipality.

### Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Hattfjelldalen farm (referred to as "Hatfieldalen" in 1723) where the first Hattfjelldal Church was built. The first element of the name comes from the local mountain Hattfjellet which has a hat-like shape. The mountain name is derived from the genitive case of the word hǫttr which means "hat" and the word fjall which means "mountain". The last element of the name is the definite form of the word dalr which means "valley" or "dale". Thus it is the "hat-shaped mountain valley". Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled Hatfjelddalen. On 6 January 1908, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Hatfjelldalen (removing one "d"). On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Hatfjelldal (removing the definite form ending). On 29 January 1926, the spelling was changed again, this time by adding a "t" to make it Hattfjelldal.
On 14 June 2019, the national government approved a resolution to add a co-equal, official Southern Sami language name for the municipality: Aarborte. The spelling of the Sami language name changes depending on how it is used. It is called Aarborte when it is spelled alone, but it is Aarborten tjїelte when using the Sami language equivalent to "Hattfjelldal Municipality".

### Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 24 October 1986. The official blazon is "Per fess argent and vert embattled with one battlement" (Norwegian: Delt av sølv og grønt ved tindesnitt med en enkelt tinde). This means the arms have a field (background) that is divided by a horizontal line that has a rectangular raised area. The field above the line has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. Below the line, the field is colored green. The arms were designed to mimic the local Hattfjellet mountain which rises above the terrain and can be seen for great distances. The mountain has steep sides with a rather flat plateau at the top, giving it a distinctive look. The design is a canting element since the name of the municipality means "hat mountain valley". The arms were designed by Arvid Sveen.

### Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within Hattfjelldal Municipality. It is part of the Indre Helgeland prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.
Churches in Hattfjelldal :
| Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
| Hattfjelldal | Hattfjelldal Church | Hattfjelldal | 1868 |
| Hattfjelldal | Susendal Church | Svenskvollen | 2001 |
| Hattfjelldal | Varntresk Church | Varntresk | 1986 |

## Geography

Hattfjelldal Municipality lies along the Swedish border in the southeastern part of Nordland county. The lake Røsvatnet (Southern Sami: Reevhtse) lies on the border between Hattfjelldal Municipality and Hemnes Municipality, and it serves as a reservoir. It has been the site of human occupation since the Stone Age. Its area of 219 square kilometres (85 sq mi) makes it the second largest lake in Norway by surface area. Other lakes in the region include Daningen, Elsvatnet, Famnvatnet, Jengelvatnet, Kjerringvatnet, Krutvatnet, Ranseren, Simskardvatnet, and Unkervatnet. The large river Vefsna runs through the municipality.
Børgefjell National Park is partly located in the southern part of Hattfjelldal Municipality, as is Jetnamsklumpen, a prominent mountain. There are several nature reserves, such as Varnvassdalen with a varied topography and old growth forest of pine, birch and some spruce. The highest point in the municipality is the 1,699.92-metre (5,577.2 ft) tall mountain Kvigtinden (Southern Sami: Voenjelensnjurhtjie) on the border with Grane Municipality.

## Government

Hattfjelldal Municipality 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 Helgeland District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

### Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Hattfjelldal is made up of 15 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 2023–2027 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 7 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 15 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 2019–2023 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Hattfjelldal Local List (Hattfjelldal Bygdeliste) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 11 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 2015–2019 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| | Hattfjelldal Local List (Hattfjelldal Bygdeliste) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 2011–2015 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 8 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 2007–2011 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 2003–2007 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| | Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1999–2003 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| | Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1995–1999 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 7 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| | Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1991–1995 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1987–1991 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| | Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), Centre Party (Senterpartiet), and Liberal Party (Venstre) | 7 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 21 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1983–1987 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 1 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 21 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1979–1983 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 1 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| | Joint list of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Liberal Party (Venstre) | 8 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 21 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1975–1979 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 21 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1971–1975 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 2 |
| | Socialist common list (Venstresosialistiske felleslister) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 21 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1967–1971 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) | 1 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal kommunestyre 1963–1967 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal herredsstyre 1959–1963 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal herredsstyre 1955–1959 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 4 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Hattfjelldal herredsstyre 1951–1955 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 4 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 16 |
Hattfjelldal herredsstyre 1947–1951 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 9 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 1 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 16 |
Hattfjelldal herredsstyre 1945–1947 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 10 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 1 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 5 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 16 |
Hattfjelldal herredsstyre 1937–1941* :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 6 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 16 |
| 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 (Norwegian: ordfører) of Hattfjelldal 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 (incomplete list):
* 1897-1899: O. Hoff
* 1902-1913: Anton E. Lie
* 1913-1916: Peter Olsen Bolstad (Ap)
* 1917-1924: Olaf Tustervatn
* 1925-1937: Nordvald Sjaavik (Ap)
* 1937-1941: Bjarne Aaslid (Ap)
* 1942-1944: Erling Spro
* 1944-1945: Johan T. Haugen
* 1945-1955: Bjarne Aaslid (Ap)
* 1955-1970: Kasper Sæterstad (Ap)
* 1970-1983: Karl Ingebrigtsen (Ap)
* 1983-1991: Arne Steinbakken (Ap)
* 1991-1995: Herlaug Granås (Ap)
* 1995-1999: Terje Daleng (Sp)
* 1999-2015: Asgeir Almås (Ap)
* 2015-2023: Harald Lie (Sp)
* 2023–present: Sølvi Andersen (Ap)

## Notable people

* Kirsten Alnæs (1927–2021), a social anthropologist who was born in Hattfjelldal
* Anders K. Orvin (1889–1980), a geologist and explorer
* Anna Jacobsen (1924–2004), a champion of Southern Sami language and culture
* Karl Ingebrigtsen (born 1935), a Norwegian politician