Helvi Nuorgam-Poutasuo

Helvi Nuorgam-Poutasuo (October 15, 1943 – July 16, 2017) was a Sámi teacher, translator, and newspaper editor as well as a politician and a Sámi cultural influencer.

Biography Helvi Nuorgam was born in Utsjoki, Finland on October 15, 1943. Her parents were Niillas-Jon Niillas and Ápparan-Mággá (, née Helander). She studied Finno-Ugric languages, including Northern Sámi,

In 1967, she married Kari Poutasuo. She was a lecturer in the Sámi languages at the University of Oulu from 1970 to 1972. She edited the Sámi language magazine Sápmelaš with Pekka Sammallahti, Samuli Aikio, and Sulo Aikio.

From 1976 to 1987 and 1992 to 1995, she was a member of the Sámi Parliament of Finland (Vice-Chair, 1977–79 and 1992–95). From 1996 to 1999, she was a member of the Saami Council.