When Nils-Aslak died, the county of Troms and the Norwegian Ministry of Culture provided the means for the newly established foundation to buy his house Lásságámmi, and begin the work of turning it into a residence for researchers and artists.

By allowing selected persons to live and work on their own art and research projects in Nils-Aslak’s house, the foundation wants to encourage the occupants to carry on in their professional and artistic development. The dwelling is in principle kept as Nils-Aslak Valkeapää left it. A separate committee, named by the board of the foundation, selects who will be able to live in the house for shorter or longer periods. In between these periods, the house will be open for visits by the public at specific times.