Divtasvuodna or Tysfjord?
In 1987, a proposal was introduced to officially recognize the Sámi name Divtasvuodna alongside Tysfjord as the name of the municipality.
The proposal sparked public debate. For some, it represented cultural recognition and pride. For others, it raised questions about identity, belonging, and historical narratives.
In 2020, the map changed. The former municipality of Divtasvuodna/Tysfjord no longer exists as a single administrative unit. The region was divided between two municipalities:
- Ájluokta/Drag, the site of this exhibition, is now part of Hábmera suohkan/Hamarøy municipality).
- Gásluokta/Kjøpsvik became part of Áhkkánjárga suohkan/Narvik municipality.
Despite the administrative changes, the name Divtasvuodna remains in use — in language, in memory, and in local identity. The public discussions surrounding the name change in the late 1980s highlighted the symbolic power of place names, and how they reflect deeper issues of language, representation, and cultural recognition.
This exhibition board serves as a reminder:
Place names are more than geographic markers.
They carry meaning — tied to land, history, and the people who live there.
