Helvi Nuorgam was born in
Utsjoki,
Finland on October 15, 1943. Her parents were Niillas-Jon Niillas () and Ápparan-Mággá (, née Helander). She studied Finno-Ugric languages, including Northern Sámi, In 1967, she married Kari Poutasuo. She was a lecturer in the
Sámi languages at the University of Oulu from 1970 to 1972. She edited the Sámi language magazine
Sápmelaš with
Pekka Sammallahti, Samuli Aikio, and Sulo Aikio. From 1976 to 1987 and 1992 to 1995, she was a member of the
Sámi Parliament of Finland (Vice-Chair, 1977–79 and 1992–95). From 1996 to 1999, she was a member of the
Saami Council. ==References==