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Helga PedersenNorwegian Sami politician
Date of Birth: 13.01.1973
Country:  Norway |
Content:
- Helga Pedersen: A Trailblazing Saami Politician
- Early Career
- Saami Heritage and Identity
- Political Career
- Leadership and Parliament
Helga Pedersen: A Trailblazing Saami Politician
Early Life and EducationHelga Pedersen was born on January 13, 1973, in Sør-Varanger, Norway. Her family later relocated to Vestertana in the municipality of Tana. Pedersen's father, Terje Pedersen, was a farmer, fisherman, and regional politician, while her mother, Hjørdis Langholm, was a registered nurse. Pedersen grew up in a strongly Saami cultural environment alongside her three brothers. She attended primary school in Vestertana and secondary school in Vadsø. She also spent a year as an exchange student at a high school in Bayeux, France. In 1996, Pedersen graduated from the University of Bergen with a bachelor's degree in Russian studies. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Tromsø in 1998.
Early Career
Pedersen's career in education began in 1992-1993, working as a teacher's assistant and teacher at Boftsa Oppvekstsenter in Tana. From 1998 to 2000, she served as a construction consultant in Finnmark County Administration.
Saami Heritage and Identity
Pedersen and her two daughters are officially registered as part of the Norwegian Saami minority. This grants them certain privileges, including in elections to the Norwegian Saami Parliament and in the taxation of agricultural income. Pedersen is fluent in Northern Saami and wears traditional Saami clothing at official events and ceremonies.
Political Career
Pedersen's political career began at an early age. At 19, she became the leader of the Norwegian Labour Party Youth League. She later served as a political advisor and, at 30, was elected Mayor of Finnmark County in 2003-2005. From April to October 2001, she was appointed as a political advisor in the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In 2005, she was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs.
Leadership and Parliament
In 2007, Pedersen was elected as deputy leader of the Labour Party, the first woman to hold the position. After the 2009 election, Pedersen was elected parliamentary leader of the Labour Party, effectively resigning as Minister of Fisheries. She remained in the position until the party's defeat in the 2013 parliamentary elections. Pedersen was considered a potential candidate for leadership of the Labour Party after Jens Stoltenberg announced he was stepping down as leader to become NATO Secretary General. Pedersen was re-elected in 2014.
