Hege Nilsen lives and works in Kåfjord, a village in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. In addition to her work as an EMT, Hege celebrates her Coastal Sámi culture by making traditional handcrafts, including leatherwork and jewelry with pewter and mica embroidery and embellishment, and through storytelling. She works with a community of Sámi artists, teaches handcraft classes, and has demonstrated at Høstfest, an annual festival in Minot, North Dakota, several times.

In 2024, Hege Nilsen won the Boušši prize. The prize is awarded by Riddu Riđđu in collaboration with the Center for Northern People and is given to persons or associations who have made an effort to make Sea Sámi language and culture visible. Find out more about the award here.