In 2022, an intriguing discovery was made during excavation work for a water pipeline between Olderdalen and Nommedalen: a millstone! The construction was immediately stopped, and both the Nord-Troms Museum and the Sámi Parliament were contacted. After further investigation, it was concluded that the millstone and the milling activity were connected to the Kven tradition of grain grinding.
Although the Lyngenfjord region is known for the “meeting of the three tribes” – a cultural crossroads of the Kven, Sámi, and Norwegian peoples – findings of Kven origin are not always automatically protected.
Fortunately, Svein Arild Soleng from the Kåfjord Kven Association was consulted. He proposed the creation of a monument to commemorate Kven activity and settlement in the area.
The Nommedal River: A Historic Site for Milling
Further research revealed that several millstones had previously been found along the Nommedal River, suggesting it was well-suited for grain grinding and milling operations. Historical accounts also indicate that people from other parts of the Lyngenfjord came here to have their grain milled.
It was therefore fitting to establish a memorial by the Nommedal River. The Kåfjord Kven Association was granted a plot of land by Rita Brannfjell, which they later purchased. The first phase of the memorial was completed in autumn 2023, and new features have been added each year since. Plans for further development are in place for the next two years.
All work has been carried out by volunteers, with financial support from SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge, Tom Soleng Furseth, Kåfjord Municipality, the Kåfjord Kven Association, and numerous private donors. A key figure in this effort has been Kven community member Jacob Olsen.
A Welcoming Park with Scenic Views
The memorial park is located by a large gravel pit along the Nommedal River, approximately 4 km south of Olderdalen’s center. It attracts around 10,000 visitors annually. The area offers ample parking, and the lot is plowed during winter months—though the park itself is not cleared of snow.
The park has signs that offer knowledge and information about the:
- Kven culture
- Kven language
- local plants
The Kven people have left a lasting legacy in North Troms. Most Kvens migrated to the region during the 18th and 19th centuries. They cleared and cultivated small plots of land, built homes, and raised families. Though they settled in a new country, they preserved their language, traditions, and cultural identity.
