REPORTAGE

"In the workshop the rest of the world disappears"

He is a promising actor, a successful Sámi craftsman - and a warehouse worker. 31-year-old Niilá Omma enjoys having many irons in the fire. And enjoys life in her hometown Skellefteå.

- "This town has always felt like home," he says.

- It was empty in here, we can do the interview here. It's lunch break for Niilá Omma when we do the interview. He finds a vacant room in the warehouse at Beijer Bygg in Skellefteå where he has his nine-to-five job. Among boards, warehouse shelves and forklifts, it feels quite far from red carpets and camera flashes. But Niilá has a foot in every world. This spring, Niilá's debut film as an actor premiered on Netflix. Based on the book by author and journalist Ann-Helén Laestadius , 'Theft' External link, opens in new window. depicts a young Sami woman's struggle to defend her origins. And the tensions that arise when modern ideas meet a traditional culture. Making her acting debut in a lavish Netflix production could be overwhelming for anyone, but Niilá seems to be taking it in stride.

- "It still feels a bit unreal. I haven't really settled into it yet," he says. It was a friend who encouraged him to apply for the role in the movie. No sooner said than done, Niilá went to an audition in Jokkmokk. And it was a success - Niilá got the part. In the movie, he plays the character Niilá Heatta, who is a reindeer herder.

- "It felt really good. What an experience it was to be on set! I've never done anything like this before, never done theater. Maybe I was a little nervous the first take, but then it went away," he says.

Knifes

Nillá has grown up with crafts and around crafts.

Now Niilá hopes her film debut will lead to more roles. The goal is to be able to combine acting with her great passion in life: handicrafts. "It would suit me perfectly to film once or twice a year and do handicrafts the rest of the time. Crafts alone are not enough to live on. But to have acting on the side would be the dream! In the meantime, he has a job in the warehouse, which he also enjoys.

- "Right now, I'm sitting in a courier and writing up and checking all the goods when customers come out of the warehouse. We are an incredibly lovely bunch here, so it's fun to go to work. So I don't mind too much if it doesn't turn into a movie career either. But it would be great fun. Almost all of Niilá's free time is devoted to his main interest - woodworking and arts and crafts. He rents a carpentry workshop in the same building as his apartment, in Älvsbacka, not far from central Skellefteå. He only has to walk down two flights of stairs to the workshop.

- "I go home from work and sit there and work for 3-4 hours. So I average 10-11 hours a day with regular work and crafts," he says. It was Niilá's grandfather who introduced him to woodworking during a stay with his family in Hemavan. Eventually, Niilá applied to the Sami Education Center in Jokkmokk and trained in traditional Sami handicrafts.

- "It was a bit like a revelation. I knew right away that it was something I would continue with," he says.

Over time, handicrafts have become an important part of Niilá's life.

- In part, it is a big part of my culture. I grew up with crafts and around crafts. When you're really into something, the rest of the world and its worries disappear. You get to be in your own bubble, solving problems and creating beautiful things. And you can see the development directly when you work - how it grows every time you saw, cut or grind," he says. Niilá's craftsmanship has already made an impression far beyond Västerbotten. This summer he was at the big Atlanta Blade Show in the USA, where he sold his work. He works in wood and horn and makes mostly knives, but also cows, boxes, bowls and jewelry.

- "Sami handicraft is very broad. You can make all kinds of objects that belong to the Sámi culture and life. Niilá grew up in the village of Gummark, 16 kilometers outside Skellefteå, and looks back on her childhood with warmth. I was outside a lot, cross-country skiing, cycling and swimming," he says. He has also always liked the city of Skellefteå.

- The city has always felt like home. Even when I lived in other places. In the end it's nice to come home. I've toyed with the idea of moving, but it's taking its toll. And now there's so much going on in the city, so it's fun to be here," he says.

The Sámi culture has always been important. For as long as he can remember, he has gone to help with reindeer herding, either with his family, or with other friends and acquaintances.

- "I've spent a lot of time helping my uncles, cousins and grandparents. It was just a natural part of life. We never went abroad on vacation, we went up to the mountains. It was an important anchor and part of our identity. Especially during your teenage years, when you're trying to find your place in the world. We have a very good sense of belonging in the Sami culture," says Niilá.

Nillá Omma

“The goal is to be able to combine acting with the great passion in life: arts and crafts.”

THIS IS NIILÁ OMMA

Age: 31.

Lives: Älvsbacka in Skellefteå. I have my father in town and my mother in Småland. I also have four sisters.

Does: Craftsman, actor and warehouse worker. Interests: Besides handicrafts, I exercise a lot. I also play board and card games. And I like to be in the mountains. Hiking, fishing and searching for materials for my handicrafts.

Text: Olov Antonsson

Photo: Patrick Degerman