It was first established in 2005 and contested the 2005 election as the Finnmark List (Norwegian: Finnmarkslista), but was renamed in 2009 to its current name.

The NKF states that it wishes for equal opportunity for all Northern people on the Cap of the North (Norwegian: Nordkalotten).

This position informs its stances on local issues such as land and water rights, reindeer husbandry, and the outfield industry.

The party was eventually renamed in 2009 as Nordkalottfolket by Toril Bakken Kåven who considered the name "beautiful" and reflective of the common history and the multiple ethnic groups living in the Cap of the North.

[8] Rolf Edmund Lund described the party's policies as pragmatic with regards to issues of the outfield industry, rights to land and water, coastal Sámi interests, individuals who cannot speak Sámi due to assmiliation, and equality with a focus on the Kven people.

The party urged Norwegian authorities to cease all cooperation with Russia and impose sanctions as long as the war was ongoing.

[18] He stated that the party portrayed the Sámi as wanting to have supremacy over the northern peoples, leading to an image of a culture war in the north.

Myrnes Balto described the leader of the North Calotte People, Toril Bakken Kåven, as a "Trumper".

[18] Myrnes Balto had previously compared the party's policies to those of Jarl Hellesvik and his anti-Sámi organization EDL.