Ávvir launched in 2008 on Sami National Day (6 February)[3][4][5] It was founded through the merger of rival Northern Sámi-language tabloids Áššu and Min Áigi. Min Áigi chairman Magne Svineng stated that due to higher production costs, mergering Áššu and Min Áigi was the only way to meet the need for a daily Sámi-language newspaper with wide distribution.[6]Ávvir maintained editorial bureaus in Kárášjohka and Guovdageaidnu, the respective headquarters of Min Áigi and Áššu, and its management is co-located with AltaposteninAlta. The paper is owned by Sami Aviisa AS, which is one-third owned by Nord Avis AS (the owner of Altaposten), one-third by Amedia, and one-third by local owners.[7]
On 5 March 2017, Ávvir launched an online edition to better reach younger readers, as well as extend its readership across the Swedish, Finnish, and Russian portions of Sápmi.[8]
In 2016, Ávvir reported earning a profit of NOK 526,475.[9] Funding for the paper comes from advertising, subscriptions, and a Sámi media subsidy provided by the Norwegian government.[10] In 2014, to help meet the need for Northern Sámi-language print media in Sweden, the Sámi Parliament of Sweden made it easier for Ávvir to operate in Sweden.[11]
The name for Ávvir was proposed by Láilá Susanne VarsofLáhpoluoppal in Guovdageaidnu. The word ávvir translates into English as "care" or "attention"[12] The paper is credited with helping to preserve and develop the Northern Sámi language.[13]
^Risan, Herdis Lydia (6 February 2008). "Samisk dagsavis ser dagens lys" [Sámi daily sees the light of day]. Aftenbladet (in Norwegian). Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^"Samiske aviser slås sammen" [Sámi newspapers to merge] (in Norwegian). NRK Sámi Radio. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^Pettersen, Monica Falao (2 March 2015). "Ávvir lanserer ny nettavis" [Ávvir launches new online newspaper]. NRK Sápmi (in Norwegian). Retrieved 4 May 2020.
^Larsen, Dan Robert (5 April 2017). "Ávvir gikk med overskudd i 2016" [Ávvir earns a profit in 2016] (in Norwegian). NRK Sápmi. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
^"Ávvir". Álgu database. Research Institute for the Languages of Finland. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
^Lund, Rolf Edmund (24 August 2019). "Gratulerer med ti spennende år, Ávvir" [Congratulations on ten exciting years, Ávvir]. Altaposten (in Norwegian). Alta, Norway. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
