ANSIPRA BULLETIN Arctic Network for the Support of the Indigenous Peoples of the Russian Arctic Сеть Арктических Организаций в Поддержку Коренных Народов Российского Севера

No. 9, June 2003 - English Language Edition

ANSIPRA is a communication network linking Russian Indigenous Peoples' Organisations with international institutions and organisations alarmed about the future of the indigenous peoples of the Russian North. ANSIPRA's main goal is to spread information, to mediate contacts, and to assist in project coordination.

ANSIPRA Bulletin is an information publication of the “Arctic Secretariat: Norwegian Polar Institute, Polar Environmental Centre Network for the Support of the Indigenous Peoples of the N-9296 Tromsø, Norway Russian Arctic”. The Bulletin is issued twice a year. Addi- tional issues are produced as new information warrants it. Phone: +47 - 77 75 05 00 The Bulletin is edited in English and Russian. ANSIPRA Bul- Fax: +47 - 77 75 05 01 letin is distributed – by internet or hard copy – to all regis- E-mail: [email protected] tered network participants, as well as relevant state agencies and funding institutions. Distribution is free. All written con- Internet: http://npolar.no/ansipra/ tributions are appreciated.

Coordinator / Editor: Winfried K. Dallmann, Tromsø ANSIPRA Bulletin is politically independent. A special part of the English language edition, however, presents translations of arti- Assistant Coordinator: Galina Diachkova, Moscow cles from the newsletter “Мир коренных народов” (Indigenous Assistant Editor: Helle V. Goldman, Tromsø Peoples’ World), the official periodical of RAIPON (Russian Asso- ciation of Indigenous Peoples of the North, selected in coopera- tion with RAIPON.

CONTENTS OF THIS EDITION:

Letter from the Secretariat 3 Indigenous – native – aboriginal: confusions and translation problems Winfried Dallmann & Helle Goldman 4

INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC ORGANISATIONS: The Northern Forum 5 Arctic Circumpolar Route Mary Stapleton 9

HEALTH: State policy and the health of indigenous peoples of the Russian North Larisa Abryutina 11

INDIGENOUS ORGANISATIONS: About the work of public organisations in the Magadan Oblast Irina Yaschenko 12 Russian Indigenous Peoples’ Training Center RITC Rodion Sulyandziga 13

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and Far East III Galina Diachkova 14

NOTES: Russian locals trying to stop major road from being built into their wilderness area Paul Brown, reprint from "The Manchester Guardian" 17 Life in the village today Vladimir V. Kovavna 17 New Kamchatkan website on Territories of Traditional Nature Use 18 Snowchange Declaration 18

NEW BOOKS 19 MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES 20

APPENDIX: 3 maps: Indigenous peoples of the Arctic Council member states Winfried Dallmann 2 Letter from the secretariat

Dear readers!

What’s in the issue this will not result in decreased reading of Project proposals and request our articles. We are open to feedback from The bulk of the information in the last for funding from indigenous or- issues of ANSIPRA Bulletin came from you. We’ve also updated the layout of the organisations in the Russian Federation. cover page. ganisations This time we focus more on circumarctic To avoid misunderstandings, we need to issues, aimed mainly at readers in the Rus- Financial situation clarify the following for our readers in the sian Federation with poor access to the The annual basic budget we receive from Russian Federation: publishing project Internet and other modern sources of in- the Norwegian Polar Institute is unchan- ideas, requests for funding, or reports formation. In particular, we give pre- ged. It covers the salary for the staff, cop- about the situation in your home area does sentations of two Arctic organisations, the ies and postage of the Bulletin, and basic not automatically lead to any reactions Northern Forum and the Arctic Circum- maintenance of the Internet website. Sup- from funding institutions. ANSIPRA sees polar Route. As a special insert, we enclose port by the Barents Euro-Arctic Region has its task in making such information avai- two coloured maps* showing indigenous ceased. Applications for funding at several lable so that western institutes, orga- peoples in the Arctic states, and Permanent other agencies were not successful. To nisations and funding agencies are made Participant organisations of the Arctic cover costs of translations that exceed the aware of the problems and the need for Council. These maps are also posted on capacity of our staff, we sent a letter to all support. We also try to make contacts be- our Internet website. our non-Russian network contacts in the tween the authors of this information and This issue also contains information from beginning of the year requesting financial those western institutions that might be Russia. A report on the Russian health contributions. We are most grateful for the able to help. But to receive any funding or policy for indigenous peoples by Larisa following contributions which we recei- support, the applicants must send a direct Abryutina, Vice-President of RAIPON, ved: application to the respective funding responsible for health issues, is included. Norwegian Directorate for Nature Mana- agency. In this connection, we want to In addition, we continue our series of short gement: ca. US$ 600 remind you that RAIPON in 2001 prepared introductions to the individual indigenous Tromsø Museum: ca. US$ 540 a handbook describing procedures for peoples of the Russian Federation, which Canadian Embassy in Norway, with funds funding applications. we started in ANSIPRA Bulletin Nos. 3 from the Northern Dimension Initiative and 4. For those of you who have access to Fund: ca. US$ 1000 our Internet website, we would like to In addition, we highly appreciate contri- mention that some of these introductions butions by people connected with our net- Contact us originally published in Bulletin Nos. 3 and work in the form of free-of-charge transla- 4 – especially those concerning peoples of tions. Together, these contributions will Winfried Dallmann the Russian Far East – have been revised secure the continuation of our activities in e-mail [email protected] and expanded in the Internet versions. 2003, and we will be able to refund phone: (+47)-77750648 / ..500 RAIPON’s expenses for the English trans- fax: (+47)-77750501 * ( colour copies sponsored by the Norwegian Polar lations of selected articles from their jour- Institute’s Information and Library Services) nal “Mir korennykh narodov”. However, Galina Diachkova they do not permit an increase of activities. e-mail [email protected] phone: (+7)-095-1646939 New layout We will probably face the same difficult situation in the years to follow. We are fax: (+7)-095-9380600 Expenses for the distribution of the Bulle- therefore seeking other budget sources of adr.: RUS-119415 Moscow tin are rising. To save postage costs, we more permanent character, but we empha- P.O.B. 110 will strive to keep the weight of each num- size that we are looking for “fresh” money, ber below 100 g, including possible special which means we do not intend to compete Helle Goldman inserts. Rather than reducing the amount of for money that otherwise would support e-mail [email protected] information included in each issue, we indigenous peoples in a different way. phone: (+47)-77750618 / ..500 have opted for a smaller type size, hoping fax: (+47)-77750501

3 Indigenous – native – aboriginal: Confusion and translation problems Winfried Dallmann and Helle Goldman

There is a common confusion about these terms Also in Norway, as another example, things was formed in the early years of the Soviet in the literature, the mass media and in everyday are relatively easy: Ethnic Norwegians are na- Union. Twenty-six peoples were so classified. communication. People with a scientific or tives in their own country (Norw. “urbefolk- Extending this category to embrace 40 peoples political insight in such issues may understand ning”, “stedegen befolkning”), but – as they also in 2000 was partly the result of attempts to bol- each other, but the lack of a common awareness form the mainstream society – not indigenous ster the protection of smaller endangered sub- of the political implementations of these terms (Norw. “urfolk”) in its political sense. Indige- groups of already included peoples, and partly a makes it still difficult to communicate them to nous peoples in Norway are the Saami, and consequence of a raised ethnic awareness in the public. Problems arise especially with trans- possibly the Kvens (depending on if they are southern Siberian areas with more complicated lations to or from other languages, which may regarded as a subgroup of Finns or as a distinct ethnic population patterns. A constraining factor have other words with partly overlapping mean- people). The problem is that the average Nor- is the strict limit of a population size of 50,000 ings. Different political traditions in different wegian may not know the difference even be- for the potential recognition within this cate- countries also take their part in this. Translators tween these two Norwegian expressions and gory. The determination of the size of a people must also be aware of the lack of public know- their legal implications. This is a matter of lack- is in Russia based on self-designation in public ledge about such issues, and – in areas of ethnic ing education about the special political status of censuses. confrontations – even of the emotional resis- indigenous peoples, which in turn is a conse- There has until now not been a need to deter- tance against understanding. quence of the assimilation policies of the past. mine who is an indigenous person in Russia, An average native English speaker would because there are no special benefits given to possibly not care if he is called “native” or “in- The situation in Russia indigenous people on an individual basis. Laws digenous” to his country, unless he is aware of Now let us look at Russia. The Russian word for and regulations to protect indigenous interests the involved political issues. While “native” “native peoples” is “korennye narody”; it is also refer to recognised indigenous villages (“obschi- may have negative connotations due to its fre- used in the sense of “indigenous”, for instance in ny”), comparable to Native villages in Alaska or quent application by whites to non-whites, “in- the Russian translation of the ILO Convention, Canada. Thus, people of mixed ethnic origin do digenous” may be the more neutral term. but – as in Western countries – not necessarily not calculate the proportion of their indigenous Though sometimes used as a synonym for understood in this sense by the public. The word ancestry like they need to do in the USA in “native” and “indigenous”, “aboriginal”, has a “aborigeny” is a literal translation of “aborigi- order to be eligible to support through certain special association with being “original” and is nes” and commonly understood the same way. federal programmes. used for those who inhabited a land before the But, concerning peoples in Russia, things are Translations from Russian arrival of colonists. These associations are also more difficult – mainly because of the changing underlined by the fact that the original inhabi- policies through history (Russian Empire, Soviet But how should we translate the Russian termi- tants of Australia in common English are simply Union, post-Soviet Russia). While in America nology to English without clashing with either called “Aborigines”. A white American or eth- people belong either to immigrant or indigenous the ethnic identity of peoples or Russian poli- nic Russian will not call himself “aboriginal” in ethnic groups, the Soviet administrative system cies? Russian terms are either very long and his country. created an intermediate level: native peoples heavy in English texts, or easy to misunderstand Legal implementations who in their own administrative units were when translated literally because they often originally thought to form mainstream society – contain the segment “national, nation” for ethnic A legal, international standard for the use of the although under the umbrella of the multi- groups which are not nations in the common term “indigenous” is provided by the ILO Con- national Soviet system. We speak here of, for English sense of the word (see ANSIPRA Bulle- vention No. 169 (1989) also cited as the “In- instance, the Yakuts in the Sakha Republic tin No. 7 [June 2002], p.3). digenous and Tribal Peoples’ Convention” (the (Yakutia), the Bashkirians in the Bashkirian It has become usual to translate the lengthy term “tribal” was added, because some nomadic Republic, or the Tuvinians in the Republic of term of KMNS simply with “indigenous peo- tribes cannot be denoted as “indigenous” in the Tyva. These are so-called “titulovannye nazii” ples” or synonymously “aboriginal peoples”, at entire area they traditionally have roamed). The (“titular nations”) of the individual republics. least in those contexts where it is clear that one Convention aims at giving the peoples in ques- Russian culture has diluted many of the cultural speaks about Russia with its 50,000 limit. In tion the possibility to maintain and develop their and institutional features of these peoples to a other contexts, an explanation is needed. If one distinctive cultural and institutional features varying degree. According to the ILO Conven- speaks about “indigenous peoples of Russia” in within a different mainstream society. “Indige- tion, some of them would today fit into the ILO international fora, a distinction between the nous and tribal peoples” are defined as definition of “indigenous peoples”. But they are Russian and the ILO definitions of the term is (1) tribal peoples in independent countries, large populations, some of them over 1 million, needed; here the adjective “small-numbered” whose social and economic conditions distin- and this may be one of the reasons why Russia may be appropriate if one wants to point out that guish them from other sections of the national never has ratified the Convention. there are more indigenous peoples in Russia community, and whose status is regulated Areas with relatively large population ratios of when applying the ILO definition. wholly or partially by their own customs and aboriginal people in sparsely populated regions The expression “native peoples of Russia” traditions or by special laws or regulations; were given the status of “national okrugs” (now would not make much sense because more or (2) peoples in independent countries who are “autonomous okrugs”). These have also “titular less all non-foreigners living in Russia belong to regarded as indigenous on account of their nations”, for instance the Chukchi in the Chu- peoples which are native somewhere in the descent from the populations which inhabited kotkan AO, the Evenks in the Evenkian AO, etc. Russian Federation. To apply expressions like the country, or a geographical region to which These peoples do not form a majority population “Native American cultures” to Russia (“Native the country belongs, at the time of conquest or in any of the “okrugs”, and they were considered Russian cultures”) does not make sense either, colonisation or the establishment of present as “natsionalnye menshinstva” (“national or because this would include the ethnic Russian state boundaries and who, irrespective of their ethnic minorities”) – together with small-num- culture, which – in contrast to the situation in legal status, retain some or all of their social, bered peoples without titular administrative America – is a native one in a part of the coun- economic, cultural and political institutions. units. (Here we do not enter into temporary try. It seems here to be more appropriate to With this in mind, we should speak of “indige- Stalinistic policies, which tried to eliminate the speak of “non-Russian cultures” when excluding nous peoples” when referring to peoples that concept of “natsionalnosti” [“nationalities”] as a the culture of the mainstream society, and of satisfy this definition, while “native” can be whole, to wipe out all ethnic differences.) “small indigenous cultures” when referring to used more freely and in relation to the context. In order to protect especially endangered “na- the small ethnic groups below the 50,000 limit. For instance, if “native” refers to the individual, tional/ethnic minorities”, which were clearly When referring to regions within the Russian a native American citizen is anyone born in distinct from the larger ethnic populations sur- Federation, the adjective “native” makes sense America, but not necessarily an American In- rounding them, the term “korennye malochis- again (“native cultures of Yakutia”, etc.). dian. But “Native American cultures” are never- lennye narody Severa, Sibiri i Dalnego Vostoka In the English language edition of this Bulle- theless understood as American Indian or Inuit Rossiyskogo Federatsii” (“native small-number- tin, when addressing the Russian Federation, cultures. An aboriginal person in North America ed peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East “indigenous” refers to the officially recognised is in any case an indigenous person, meaning he of the Russian Federation”; in Russian often peoples with populations below 50,000, unless is an American Indian or an Inuk (Eskimo). abbreviated to AKMNSSDV, or simply KMNS) the context specifies something else.

4 The Northern Forum: Region-to-Region Cooperation Internet: www.northernforum.org

Mission Environment: ƒ World Trade Center Alaska ƒ To improve the quality of life of Northern ƒ Wildlife Management (Brown Bears) peoples by providing Northern regional ƒ Waterbird Surveys in Arctic Russia Funding leaders a means to share their knowledge ƒ Environmental Education in Northern Regions The Northern Forum is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) and experience in addressing common Sustainable Economic Development: organization registered in the State of Alaska challenges; and ƒ Sustainable Tourism in the North (U.S.A.). Its basic sources of funding are mem- ƒ To support sustainable development and the ƒ Reindeer Management bership dues and grants from members. Addi- implementation of cooperative socio- ƒ Circumpolar Infrastructure Task Force tional financing for projects and operations is economic initiatives among Northern re- ƒ Aviation Routes sought from a variety of institutions and part- gions and through international fora. Society and Culture: ners. ƒ Healthy Lifestyles in the North Membership Governance and Emergency: What is the Northern Forum? Membership includes: ƒ Severe Cold Climate Workshop The Northern Forum is a non-profit international 1. Northern subnational (regional) governments ƒ Emergency, Preparedness, Prevention and organization composed of thirty-nine members and governmental units. Response representing twenty-eight subnational or re- 2. Partners (business, other NGOs, associations, gional governments from eleven northern coun- etc.) Affiliations tries. The Northern Forum’s status as a United Na- Programs and projects tions Non-Governmental Organization allows Northern Regions share unique characteristics The Northern Forum’s cooperative projects, the Forum’s members to participate in certain that present unusual challenges, including: international meetings, and other operations functions of the UN. As an Observer of the ƒ Harsh climates and vulnerable ecosystems focus upon four programmes: Arctic Council, the Northern Forum seeks coop- ƒ Small populations with strong and diverse ƒ Environment; eration on projects and brings local and regional indigenous cultures ƒ Sustainable Economic Development; concerns to the Council’s attention. ƒ Economies based primarily on extractions of ƒ Society and Culture; and Other organizations with whom the Northern natural resources and outsourcing of goods ƒ Governance and Emergency Forum cooperate are: ƒ Limited internal investment capital and high The Northern Forum coordinates projects that ƒ World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) operating costs are sponsored and implemented by groups of ƒ US Arctic Research Commission ƒ Limited infrastructure, mostly oriented in regional members. The Forum also endorses a ƒ Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples North-South directions variety of other activities. ƒ World Association of Reindeer Herders ƒ Limited influence on national government and ƒ International Whaling Commission multinational corporate decision-making

Contact us

The Northern Forum Office of the Secretariat P.O.B. 8002, Baltakatu 2 telephone: +7 812 311 9055 4101 University Drive, APU Lapland, Suomi-Finland fax: +7 812 315 3647 Carr-Gottstien Center 221 telephone: +358 2051 77660 [email protected] Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA fax: +358 2051 77758 telephone: +1 907 561 3280 [email protected] Eastern Russia Associate Secretariat fax: +1 907 561 6645 Prospekt Lenina 30 [email protected] Western Russia Associate Secretariat 677011 Yakutsk City of St. Petersburg Sakha Republic (Yakutiya), Russia North European Associate Secretariat International Relations Department telephone: +7 4112 420 013 Provincial Government of Lapland Borovaya 26-28 fax: +7 4112 244 046 FIN-96101 Rovaniemi 191024 St. Petersburg, Russia [email protected]

Regional Members

Iceland 10. Nenets AO People’s Republic of China 1. City of Akureyri 11. Komi Republic 22. Heilongjiang Province Norway 12. Khanty-Mansiysk AO Republic of Korea 2. Northern Norway (4 county governments) 13 Yamalo-Nenets AO 23. Republic of Korea Sweden 14. Evenk AO Japan 3. Norrbotten County 15. Krasnoyarsk Kray 24. Hokkaido Prefecture 4. Västerbotten County 16. Sakha Republic (Yakutiya) United States of America Finland 17. Magadan Oblast 25. State of Alaska 5. Province of Lapland 18. Kamchatka Oblast Canada 6. Province of Oulu 19. Sakhalin Oblast 26. Yukon Territory Russian Federation 20. Chukotka AO 27. Northwest Territories 7. City of St. Petersburg Mongolia 28. Province of Alberta 8. Arkhangelsk Oblast 21. Dornod Aimag 9. Vologda Oblast

PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS

Environment Brown Bear Management together brown bear specialists from Chukotka, Projects focused on the improvement and The Brown Bear Management project focuses Hokkaido, Kamchatka, Koryak, Sakhalin and conservation of the environment and asso- on improving bear management in Northern the Sakha Republic. Together with their Alaskan regions and minimizing negative bear-human counterparts, they discussed best practices for ciated issues in the North interaction. Under this project, a 4th workshop managing bear populations while developing

was held in August 2002 in Alaska, bringing ecotourism, and how to avoid confrontations 5 between bears and humans. The workshop in- sponse/Humanitarian Assistance (DR/HA) and Reindeer Herding Management cluded field visits to Kodiak Island and Katmai focused on the execution and management of This joint Arctic Council – Northern Forum National Park to see first-hand how Alaskans disaster responses. The participants provided project is transferring Nordic reindeer process- promote bear viewing without disturbing the actual case studies on oil spills and floods and ing and management techniques to Northern bears and other wildlife. The participants in the developed recommendations concerning future Russian regions, emphasizing the preservation workshop issued a series of recommendations international and interregional cooperation, as of indigenous cultures and economies. It pro- for increased interregional cooperation and well as a list of basic emergency equipment vides and supports sustainable rural economies harmonization of research and management in response teams need to take along in severe cold in the North. the North. climate conditions. The recommendations from the workshop are under consideration by the Technologies for the North Aerial Bird Survey Arctic Council’s EPPR Committee for coopera- The introduction of new technologies in various U.S. Fish & Wildlife specialists worked together tion with the Northern Forum to develop inte- aspects of traditional economies without de- with their Russian Far East counterparts to con- grated responses and to catalogue best practices. stroying their close link to nature is the focus of duct aerial surveys of waterbird populations in this project. It involves collecting information Chukotka and Sakha with the help of the North- Arctic Council EPPR (Emergency, Prepared- about new technologies applicable to the North ern Forum Academy (see Northern Forum ness, Prevention and Response) and attracting companies producing Northern- Academy). The EPPR Committee wishes to work with the oriented products. In order to familiarize the Northern Forum to implement response models inhabitants of Northern regions with the latest Youth Environmental Education in the North at the local level in the Northern regions and achievements in technology to improve living Promotes young peoples’ awareness about disseminate more widely information regarding standards, the project involves the publication of Northern environmental issues by holding a prevention and response to disasters. A first step materials, creation of a video and the organiza- “Youth Eco-Forum” and preparing an “Eco- will be to assess the feasibility and costs of tion of an international seminar and a portable Handbook” in Chinese, English, Japanese and translating the First Response Manual for oil exhibit. Russian for use in classrooms throughout the spills developed in Canada into more native and North. The first Youth Eco-Forum was con- local languages (it already exists in English, ducted in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada December Russian and Inuktitut). These efforts are ongo- NORTHERN FORUM ACADEMY 2-5, 2001 and resulted in an Environmental ing. Declaration. A second Youth Eco-Forum is The Northern Forum Academy is headquartered planned in Hokkaido in 2004. Preparations and Sustainable Development in Yakutsk in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutiya), securing financial sponsorships are under way. Projects focused on the improvement of the Russia. Its purpose encompasses numerous quality of lives of Northern peoples and activities linked to academic and scientific pur- Youth Northern Forum Summer Camp support of sustainable economic activities suits in support of NF goals and objectives. The regional youth ecological camp “Vostok” is and traditional rural activities conducted every summer in the Republic of 1. Conferences and meetings

Sakha (Yakutiya) with the purpose of develop- • “East-West: Integration Through Research Sustainable Model for Arctic Region Tourism ing international cooperation of the young peo- Cooperation”, Yakutsk, April 2002 (SMART) ple and support youth initiatives in the filed of • IASC Science Week, Groningen, Netherlands, developing international tourism, international This project provides an opportunity to increase awareness of northern environmental issues and April 21-27, 2002 political, cultural and scientific exchanges, and • “Conservation of Arctic Land Natural Heri- support of the activities of youth organizations. support conservation, within a framework of sustainable economic tourism activity. SMART tage: searching of sustainable use strategies for wildlife resources by autochthonous Society and Culture will assist the arctic tourism sector to adopt economically, environmentally and culturally peoples”, Naryan-Mar, Russia, June 2002 Projects focused on social issues affecting sustainable tourism practices. The project’s goal • Second Congress of the Northern Research Northern peoples, such as healthy life- is to create resources, tools, and incentives that Forum, Veliki Novgorod, Russia, Septem- styles, gender equality and investigating can be used directly by tourism SMEs or local ber 2002 societal and human development issues players in rural/tourism development as well as • “Great Voyages and Northern Aboriginal professional training to assist the tourism sector Peoples”, Naryan-Mar, Russia, November Healthy Lifestyles in the North in their respective area. 2002 This project supports health lifestyles by pro- moting sobriety and a drug-free population. It Circumpolar Infrastructure 2. Research conducted upon request of the was started in December 2001 in the city of This project involves a series of focused work Northern Forum Cherskiy in the Republic of Sakha, where the groups on a variety of infrastructure issues in the • Aerial Bird Survey in the Arctic Zone of “Kolyma Proclamation” was adopted as a first North, including aviation and telecommunica- Sakha and Chukotka, 2002 step towards healthy lifestyles. Representatives tions. Specific achievements last year included a • Goose and eider populations survey in Chu- of the Sakha Republic attended the June 2002 Transpolar Aviation workshop, organized in kotka, 2003 Rural Cap conference in Kotzebue, Alaska, March 2002, which focused on the development • Eider population survey in Sakha. conducted dedicated to sobriety and drug abuse problems. of transpolar and circumpolar aviation routes jointly with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Ser- A summit on “Alcohol and Drug Abuse Summit and has led to several initiatives, including an vices on Sobriety and Healthy Lifestyles in the North” initiative by the Institute of the North to seek is scheduled for June 26-29, 2003 in the Repub- direct postal service between the two sides of 3. Cooperation with international and na- lic of Sakha. The summit’s focus is on develop- the Pacific. tional organizations, and in particular with ing sustainable partnerships between govern- the Arctic Council programmes: ments, groups and individuals working toward Aviation Routes and Infrastructure sobriety in the North. These interregional part- International air routes are negotiated by na- Arctic Council Action Plan (ACAP) Environ- nerships will have the task of adopting existing tional governments at the federal level. Thus, mental Summit focused on the primary ACAP programs to better respond to the needs and this project seeks to facilitate the establishment projects. The Summit would be conducted in traditions of small communities in the North. of international air routes that service Northern late 2002 or early 2003 to educate local gov- regions. More generally, it was also generated to ernment and business leaders with the ACAP Governance and Emergency enhance cooperation among Northern regions on process and encourage them to provide input into the process. Additionally, specific issues Cooperative work of Northern subnational aviation issues. Examples of routes promoted by this project include flights between Alaska and associated with the ACAP remediation projects governments in addressing common chal- would be addressed in smaller workshops during lenges of equitable governance and coop- the Russian Far East Region and Alaska and the Yukon Territory and Alberta. This project in- the Summit. The NFA will also assist in the eration in emergency response volves the contribution of the Northern Forum to development of a network of environmental the Russian Far East/U.S. West Coast AdHoc contacts at the regional and industry level. Severe Cold Climate Emergency Response meeting’s aviation committee to discuss these Arctic Human Development Report (AHDR) is A workshop was organized in cooperation with issues and try to find solutions. the Center for Excellence for Disaster Re- to be presented at the fall 2004 ministerial meet- ing of the Arctic Council. The bulk of the 6 AHDR can be synthesized from already existing of the region with regard to their everyday cir- Programme’s (UNDP) Human Development research results. Social scientists and others will cumstances and thoughts. The AHDR will draw Report (UNHDR) provides a valuable concep- provide reliable materials for the report, which on experience gained in the conduct of similar tual approach concerning human development will also include contributions from the people projects. The United Nations Development and well being.

NORTHERN FORUM PROJECT: Product development and processing in sustainable reindeer husbandry

1. Project co-ordination and contact informa- pastures are used in the most effective and connected to it remains respected and a way of tion ecologically sustained way to improve the life worth pursuing. In the long term, the further The main organizer of the project is the Educa- social conditions of the indigenous peoples processing of reindeer meat and the other related tional Center of Saami Area, Lapland, Finland. of the North. product development will meet approximately Contact information: Principal Lassi Valkeapää, - to ensure sustainable reindeer husbandry by the same standards all over the reindeer herding PL 50, FIN-99870 Inari, Telephone: +358- related product development and further area. (0)16-671231, fax: +358-(0)16-671426, processing of reindeer products through e-mail: [email protected] utilizing especially education and research 4. Organizers of the work connected to it. Finland is the leading partner of the project. 2. Project initiation Geographical emphasis is on Russia but all The main organization responsible is the Educa- Finland took the initiative to Sustainable Devel- countries where reindeer herding is practiced tional Center of Saami Area. The Finnish Game opment Working Group’s meeting held on the can participate in the project. The project sup- and Fisheries Research Institute’s Reindeer 14th of May, 2002. It approved the initiative to ports the aims of the resolution No. 564 “Eco- Research Unit in Kaamanen supports the project be presented to Senior Arctic Officials (SAO) nomic and Social Development of the Small in the research part. The specialist organizations that approved the initiative on the 16th of May, Indigenous Peoples of the North up to the Year and the interest groups in Finland are among 2002 to be presented to Inari Ministerial meeting 2011”, Federal Target Program, approved by the others the Reindeer Herders’ Association in in October 2002. Government of the Russian Federation on the Finland and the Saami Reindeer Herders’ Asso- 27th of June in 2001, as well as program of ac- ciation in Finland. The State Provincial Office 3. Description of the project tion approved by the Reindeer Herders’ Union of Lapland functions as the contact organization The project puts into effect a part of the program of Russia in Salekhard on the 12th of March in to the Northern Forum. for the Finnish Chair of the Arctic Council 2002. In Russia, the Reindeer Herders’ Union of 2000-2002. The part in question reads: “Finland Russia (RHUR) is the project coordinator. The contributes to the development of basic indus- Sections of the project regional administrations in the reindeer herding tries in the Arctic by strengthening inter alia, 1. Training in self-supervising of slaughter- area have a central part in the project. Several sustainable reindeer management, related prod- houses educational institutions that provide teaching in uct development and processing as well as train- 2. Slaughtering and meat handling of reindeer reindeer husbandry are involved in the realiza- ing in this field.” 3. Uniform education in reindeer husbandry for tion of the project. The project functions in close “Product Development and Processing in the whole reindeer herding area co-operation with the Russian Association of Sustainable Reindeer Husbandry 2002-2005” 4. Tourism as a supplementary industry in rein- Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON). project is a co-operative project of the Arctic deer husbandry In Sweden, the main co-operating partners are Council and the Northern Forum. This project 5. By-products of reindeer the County Administration of Norrbotten and the carries on the Northern Forum project “Rein- 6. Training in marketing and business manage- National Union of Saami People in Sweden. In deer Management” which has carried out the ment the USA, the practical co-operating partner is same aims in several reindeer herding areas in 7. Development seminars, excursions and nego- the Kawerak Reindeer Herders’ Association in Finland and Russia since 1997. tiation trips Alaska. The coordinator is the State of Alaska. The project complements “Sustainable Rein- In Norway, a handicraft association Sámi deer Husbandry” project approved by the Arctic Expected results Duodji and the reindeer husbandry school in Council as a project under the Sustainable De- With the help of this project, the living condi- Kautokeino Sámi joatkkaskuvla ja boazodoal- velopment Programme. tions of the peoples of the North improve and loskuvla participate in the co-operation. the respect to the reindeer as genuine natural The Association of World Reindeer Herders The aims of the project product increases in the whole reindeer herding (WRH) is a central co-operating partner in the The main aim of the project is to preserve and area. More jobs are created amidst further proc- project. Other countries as well as organizations develop reindeer husbandry. Other aims are: essing as well as amongst other secondary occu- and companies are also welcome to participate. - to develop and improve the reindeer hus- pations connected with reindeer. The reindeer An international Project Committee will be bandry of each region in such a manner that industry remains vital and the northern culture established for the project.

NORTHERN FORUM PROJECT: Sustainable Model of Arctic Regional Tourism (SMART)

Summary rural tourism development. SMART tries to be Main objectives The “Sustainable Model for Arctic Regional as inclusive as possible and recognises the dif- ƒ To collect, document and analyse best prac- Tourism” (SMART) is an official project of the ferent stages of tourism development throughout tices in relevant to sustainable arctic tourism. Arctic Council and the Northern Forum. It was the individual participating countries. It is also ƒ To market sustainable tourism practices and initiated under the lead of the USA (Alaska), recognized that the concept of sustainability, benefits from adopting them. Finland and Norway and has now expanded to particularly with regard to industries like tour- ƒ To assist the arctic tourism sector to learn how an arctic–wide project encompassing eight coun- ism, is widely debated and still needs further to implement sustainable tourism practices. tries of the North. In addition, several other non- research. ƒ To define sustainable tourism practices and to governmental organizations and institutions award businesses for achieving them. have been involved in the process and contrib- Vision ƒ To create incentives for the tourism sector to uted to the development of the program. The To empower the tourism sector in the arctic to adopt sustainable tourism practices and join program aims to assist the arctic tourism sector continually innovate more sustainable tourism the recognition scheme, and lay the ground to adopt economically, environmentally and practices. work to brand sustainable arctic tourism. culturally sustainable tourism practices through resources, tools, professional training and mar- Mission The development process of SMART so far has keting or economic incentives that can be used Assist the arctic tourism sector to adopt eco- involved consultation with regional indigenous- directly by small- and medium-sized tourism nomically, environmentally and culturally sus- population associations such as the ICC and will enterprises (SMEs) and other players in local tainable tourism practices. continue to seek counsel and participation of

7 these groups in the further process to ensure that project will be disseminated in a way that will players in the regions concerned with sustain- the aims and results of SMART take into ac- benefit local and indigenous groups that initially able tourism development. These development count the specific situations of indigenous in- choose not to get involved in the project. specialists are naturally working with local and habitants in the project area and contribute to indigenous small businesses and communities. It their well-being. Working with local and indige- The overall project outputs will be distributed is these groups that are the main beneficiary of nous small businesses and communities will through various channels. One of them is the the project’s “products”. mainly take place via the pilot groups of enter- affiliation with the Arctic Council and Northern prises in every country. Also, the results of the Forum which will help to reach stakeholders and

NORTHERN FORUM PROJECT: International Women Circumpolar Expedition

Description of the organization ancestors and of the settled circumpolar area. ecological, economic, social problems of the Our organization was created in 1999 on the The integration of knowledge will promote a Arctic regions and the North. basis of a public organization called “Auto- spiritual unity and rapprochement of peoples - To develop circumpolar routes for interna- lady”. This year we have renamed it as “Interna- living around the North Pole. tional tourism and investments in Siberia tional Women Expedition Nonprofit Partner- In connection with this project, there is also an and the Russian Far East. ship” and registered it at the Ministry of Justice opportunity for international travel companies to of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutiya) with the learn about ecological and ethnographic tourism b) Goals: purpose to promote the formation of a democ- in Siberia and the Russian Far East. - Completion of an international women cir- ratic society based on strengthening peace and The question of survival for all mankind can cumpolar ground expedition; friendship between nations, saving traditions, be solved, by uniting the efforts of all countries. - Research and hire of participants from languages and cultures of peoples, environ- Looking towards the forthcoming global crisis, northern regions; mental protection, and promoting a healthy life one needs to consider the issue of developing - Coordination of the itinerary, number of style. natural reserves over the immense territories of participants and other logistical details; the Russian North, the Arctic regions, Siberia - Attracting public organizations and firms Background and the Far East, inaccessible today because of in the circumpolar regions that might be From the beginning of civilization, women have an obsolete infrastructure. Creating a new infra- interested in participating in the project for been the perpetuators of the kin and the keepers structure relying on modern technologies while publicity, including maintenance and of the hearth. Women support an atmosphere of improving the living standards and providing transportation of expedition; love and harmony in the home, lead the children employment in the Arctic regions requires build- - Meetings with mass media, regional and into the adult world, and lay the bases of further ing adequate transportation as well as invest- federal, with a "northern" focus; spiritual development. Women of the entire ments of the part of the more advanced coun- - Publication of the expedition’s materials; world, having united their efforts, should create tries. - Production of a videofilm about the expe- an atmosphere of spirituality, the conscious dition; relation to our planet. Purpose and goals of the project - Organization of press conferences and The proposed project will provide complex round tables along the itinerary of the ex- interdisciplinary comparative studies of the a) The purposes are twofold: pedition to publicize the ideas of the pro- spiritual and material culture of our nations’ - To attract the attention of the world to the ject.

Itinerary of the International Women Circumpolar Expedition 2003: # Route: 26,000 km (19,000 miles), 65 days (February-April 2003) Transport Duration 1 Yakutsk – Khandyga – Tomtor (Oymiakon, the Cold Pole) – Ust-Nera – Zyrianka – Srednekolymsk – Chersky – Bilibino – Jeeps 20 days Pevek – Cape Schmidt 2 Cape Schmidt – Providenya (Bering Strait) – Nome – Anchorage (Alaska) Small airplanes 3 days 3 Anchorage – White Horse – Edmonton – Calgary – Winnipeg – Ottawa – New-York Rented cars 12 days 4 New-York – London Airplane 1 day 5 London – Paris Rented cars 4 days 6 Paris – Hamburg – Copenhagen Rented cars 5 days 7 Copenhagen – Oslo – Umeo – Luleo – Haparanda – Rovaniemi – Oulu – Kuopio Rented cars 5 days 8 Kuopio – St.Petersburg – Moscow Rented cars 3 days Moscow – Vologda – Syktyvkar 2 days 9 Syktyvkar – Ekaterinburg – Omsk – Novosibirsk Rented cars 3 days 10 Novosibirsk – Krasnoyarsk – Ust-Kut – Tas-Yurekh – Mirny – Yakutsk Rented cars 7 days

Contacts: Oksana Novgorodova: Expedition leader Теl: + 7 (4112) 36-88-69, +7 (4112) 147-804 с, fax +7 (4112) 24-12-34, [email protected]; or [email protected] Nikolai Nakhodkin: Executive Director of the Northern Forum Secretariat in Yakutsk Теl: +7 (4112) 42-00-13, +7 (4112) 43-20-56 home, fax +7 (4112) 24-40-46, [email protected]; [email protected] Anastasia Bozhedonova: Representative of the Sakha Republic, Northern Forum Secretariat Теl: +1 (907) 561-3280, +1 (907) 770-1731 home, fax +1 (907) 561-6645, [email protected]

8 The Arctic Circumpolar Route

Mary Leeds Stapleton, Managing Director of the ACR Box 12, Site 7, R.R. 8, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2J 2T9 Phone: (+1) 403.931.245; Fax: (+1) 403.931.2454 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.circumpolarroute.org

Virtual routes and pathways re-tell histories of indigenous northern peoples

Introduction lifeways. Small populations, large geographical tic realities and priorities, leading to better envi- The Arctic Circumpolar Route (ACR), spon- areas, and hostile climatic conditions are no ronmental and cultural policies and practices. sored by UNESCO (United Nations Educa- longer obstacles. Seasonal migrations, trade, and overlapping land tional, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and It is important that these stories be told from use by many groups, have led to the establish- the Arctic Institute of North America (AINA), the perspective of Northerners, balanced with ment and maintenance of trails, pathways, and joins UNESCO’s other international projects interpretations of traders, scientists, explorers routes on land, sea and ice. The names on Eura- within the framework of the United Nations and adventurers who have visited and lived sian maps reflect trade or administrative centres International Decade of the World’s Indigenous there. Markers and artifacts along the virtual established by outsiders. Gathering points tell People and the United Nations Year of Dialogue trails and pathways, in their original context, can the stories of longstanding uses. Traditional among Civilisations (2001). UNESCO has be described in order to retain the meaning and place names along pathways tell of sacred sites, shown leadership in demonstrating a compre- significance of journeys past and present. A significant land forms, historic events, along hensive approach to cultural landscapes and prototype is the symbolic “meshkanu” (Eliza- travel routes; and reawaken the histories that landmarks, exemplified by the Silk and Spice beth’s Walk, Indigenous Affairs 4/01), the mak- have passed orally from generation to genera- Route, the Slave Route, and others. The ACR ing of a path to the future through retracing the tion. forms partnerships with community-based pro- steps of the past. Innovative partnerships, tech- jects in the eight Arctic countries (Russia, niques, and cooperative arrangements shed new Developing the Route as a series of “nodes” U.S.A. [Alaska], Canada, Denmark [Greenland], light on the history of the world. and “bridges” Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway) to create The ACR adopts and assists significant projects wider awareness and to disseminate information Traditional Pathways which have been launched by communities, and about Arctic peoples, their traditions and priori- The stories of the circumpolar northern peoples therefore directly reflect their values and priori- ties, from their own perspectives and in their and their unique cultural heritage are among the ties. Some partner projects are also conducted in own words. The ACR’s role is to facilitate in- least familiar histories in the world today. The partnership with institutions in the “south”. The formation development and exchange, and to cold climate which makes these regions inhospi- priority of the ACR is the identification, conser- benefit Arctic peoples by collecting and con- table to outsiders has also preserved the evi- vation, and communication of environmental, serving their stories. The purpose of the Route is dence of ancient cultures, and of routes and education, social and cultural information which to strengthen the natural bonds around the cir- pathways by which cultural dialogue has taken incorporates local knowledge and ways of cumpolar area, to maintain dialogue with Arctic place over millennia. Relatively recent contact knowing into new communication techniques. community stakeholders, and to bring shared with “southern” Asian and European cultures Arctic resources are being preserved and devel- interests into sharper focus. The ACR aims to means that traditional languages and lifeways oped through a thematic digitized collection, bridge the gap between research and policy, have endured – sometimes marginally – into the managed electronically. An interpretive frame- providing leadership leading towards increased 21st Century. work will incrementally relate these resources, Arctic participation in the global context. Finan- At the same time, Arctic dwellers are not at from an Arctic perspective, to the circumpolar cial and technical strengths of the more popu- present full participants in the economic wealth world’s history. Northern peoples benefit by lous South can be coordinated with the devel- of their countries. There is a deep division be- retaining, safeguarding, and caring for their opment of Northern-driven solutions which tween the riches of the South and the poverty of heritage; acquiring advanced skills and tech- respect traditional pursuits and ways of life. the North. Arctic peoples seek support for global niques; and sharing knowledge with related inclusion, without weakening their sources of organizations and individuals. ACR participants, The process of developing and describing strength from the past. There is a need among related by media and presenting information virtual pathways indigenous and non-indigenous peoples for they choose to share, are the circumpolar Electronic communication offers an opportunity accurate, accessible information among northern “route”. Each partner is a “node”, connected to to incorporate northern history and tradition into communities to vitalize heritage, to share issues others by virtual “bridges”, their shared values the mainstream of global knowledge systems, and solutions, and to validate values. This in- and interrelationships. without negatively impacting established Arctic formation also informs non-northerners of Arc-

Partnerships around the circumpolar world

The ACR utilizes the Internet to present infor- tent to an international audience. Partnerships lays the groundwork for a genuine meeting of mation on community projects which tell the are formed to achieve the following: the peoples that inhabit the Arctic, and for those stories of Northerners’ from their own perspec- • To maximize benefits to local communities, whose interests take them there. Ultimately, like tive; and whenever possible, in their own lan- business, government, and academic institu- UNESCO’s other routes, the ACR will illustrate guages. As new media and technology expand tions, by collecting, integrating, and dis- the give and take of cultures caused by the northward, even the most isolated communities seminating expanded, current information on movement of people, ideas and values. It is an will have the opportunity to participate in textual Arctic resources. alchemy which transforms not only the Arctic, and visual dialogues with the world at large. but our world. To advocate balanced, holistic research and The Arctic Circumpolar Route adopts projects • communications on significant Arctic • The Kitikmeot Heritage Society: Iqaluktuuq Ar- which have the demonstrated support of Arctic themes. chaeological Excavation and Oral History, and communities, and assists them in any way they Cultural Centre, Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada request. Often there is a need for financial and http://www.circumpolarroute.org/cambridge.htm technical support from outside the region. Partnerships The projects described below are presently • Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre - Les- Northern projects located in small communities sons From the Land: A Virtual Map of the North- are vulnerable to the loss of key participants or partners in the Arctic Circumpolar Route. In- west Territories, Yellowknife, Northwest Territo- to natural disasters. The ACR provides continu- crementally the Arctic Circumpolar Route will ries, Canada ity and recognition to enable projects to reach add similar projects from other areas, reinforc- http://www.circumpolarroute.org/lessons.htm their goals, and to create and disseminate con- ing the natural links among these peoples. Using the range of media available today, the ACR

9 • Culture Greenland: Using Images and Technology Case study: films, audiotapes, and text are used to create a to Bring People Together Sisimiut, Greenland Lessons from the Land, Prince of Wales dynamic picture of each region on the Internet. http://www.circumpolarroute.org/greenland.htm Northern Heritage Centre, Yellowknife, An especially interesting aspect of the use of • Inuit Genetic History and The Fate of the Norse Northwest Territories, Canada: multimedia technology are re-creations of tradi- Settlements Greenland Lessons From the Land tells the stories of abo- tional buildings, including a walking tour of the http://www.circumpolarroute.org/inuit.htm riginal peoples of the Northwest Territories interiors. A virtual Elder invites the visitor in, • Uqqurmiut Inuit Artists Association Pangnirtung, through interactive maps and activities related to and suggests places to visit. Older learners have Nunavut, Canada the lands they know, and from which their sto- more text at a higher comprehension level. For http://www.circumpolarroute.org/uqqurmiut.htm ries come. The first module describes the Ida’a younger users, virtual guides emphasize narra- • The St. Roch II Voyage of Rediscovery - North- Trail of the Dogrib people, between Great Slave tive and travel. west Passage from Greenland to Alaska and Be- Lake and Great Bear Lake. A second module, The program is interactive and allows users to yond http://www.circumpolarroute.org/stroch.htm now being developed, tells the story of Nuligak choose a local and several levels of information. (also known as Bob Cockney), a member of the Steering Committees participate in the initial The Arctic Circumpolar Route (ACR) is a Inuvialuit from the Mackenzie River Delta. Each stages. These are made up of community mem- network of pathways through eight circumpolar module focuses on a geographical area and its bers and teachers who collaborate with the countries through which world cultures have trails. In the future, stories of other peoples will PWNHC in bringing together stories, photo- timelessly interacted. be developed so that a tapestry of cultural heri- graphs, audio and other materials. The audiences tage is made available to a wide audience. are the general public, teachers, and students in For the viewer, the map of the NWT is marked elementary school and high school. Text is with sites along significant trails which can be available in English, French, and the traditional “clicked” to obtain an overview of the land. indigenous language of the locality (see Along the trail are place names used by native http://www.lessonsfromtheland.ca/). people, highlighting landmarks or events which help trail users to know their way. Photographs,

ACR’s first intended project in Russia: Vitalization of the Itelmen language

The Itelmen tongue is the language of the an- арктика” No. 8, 2001, p. 73). The Arctic Cir- search, wherever required in Russia and cient people of Kamchatka. The Itelmen and cumpolar Route/ Arctic Institute of North Amer- worldwide; their language were marginalized during the ica (AINA) and the State University of Novosi- • To prepare a prototypical methodology and period of Russian settlement. There are some birsk, Laboratory for Siberian Indigenous Lan- process which will inspire other linguistic 1,500 Itelmens living in central Western Kam- guages of the Tomsk State Pedagogical Univer- communities to carry out similar initiatives. chatka. However, only 35 fluent speakers of sity, Institute of Mathematics, Novosoft Com- The overall purposes of language revitalization thew western dialect remain, mainly Elders. pany, propose to create a program to support and are to reinforce self-determination and pride of Since 1990, there has been a movement to expand this initiative. The goals will be as fol- identity of a valued socio-cultural heritage, and revitalize Itelmen language and culture. Build- lows: to provide information to government and indus- ing on the past ten years of community efforts, • To record, analyze, and preserve the knowl- try to instigate positive reforms in public policy there is an opportunity to save and teach the edge of the remaining Itelmen Elders who and practice in regard to Russian indigenous language. Community groups have grown spon- are native speakers, and to involve youth and populations. taneously, and preparation has begun to con- qualified researchers; serve, teach, and publish the Itelmen language • To create a database of Itelmen linguistics Steps are being taken to raise funding. (see ANSIPRA Bulletin No. 6B, p. 14; In Rus- which will be accessible for teaching and re- sian: Мир коренных народов - живая

Conclusions: Requirements for Progress

New uses of media, and access to them, are disclosure, ownership, and ongoing sensitivity the academic community on the value and uses required to meet the potential of re-telling north- need to be developed and implemented. of local and traditional knowledge. ern stories. Traditional oral societies suggest Holistic research is an approach well suited to The active participation and generous sharing extended use of audio and visual tools. Innova- the development of virtual pathways and routes. of Arctic partners indicates that there is potential tive approaches to developing content appropri- The incorporation of traditional knowledge and for further expansion of the ACR. The partners ate to the Arctic need to incorporate Elders, academic study are not always familiar to either at this time include societies representing Inuit youth, and other village dwellers. It is essential researchers or funders. There is a clear need to and aboriginal communities in the Arctic re- that northern residents actively participate in all develop funding programs which respond to the gions of Canada, Greenland, Norway and Rus- research and reporting which concerns their remote and northern context, while broadening sia, as well as non-Arctic researchers. interests. Clear principles for participation, understanding with government, industry, and

Do you know of a project which could provide a link to broaden circumpolar knowledge?

The ACR is interested in receiving information on existing projects which can help to add “building blocks” to tell the stories of the circumpolar world. Please see the Issues and Ideas section www.circumpolarroute.org for considerations for participation in the ACR. Arctic peoples will benefit by retain- ing, safeguarding, and caring for their heritage; acquiring advanced skills and techniques; and sharing knowledge with related organizations and indi- viduals.

10 State policy and the health of indigenous peoples of the Russian North A statement to the Organising Committee by Larisa I. Abryutina, Vice President, RAIPON, 28 January 2003 Summarised by Helle Goldman, ANSIPRA

As the Russian Ministry of Health is well aware, At the same time, the Soviet structure created a organic pollutants and other substances, which there are severe health problems among the in- system of socio-economic “props” which at- build up in the food chain and are toxic to hu- digenous peoples of the North who live in remote tempted to compensate for some of these losses. mans and animals. Tests reveal, for example, that places and lead traditional life-ways (as well as A strong agriculture sector was developed, hunt- pollutants in maternal milk exceed levels re- non-indigenous people who have adopted similar ing and fishing were pursued according to Soviet garded as safe. This negatively impacts immu- ways of life). premises, and employment among indigenous nity, mental development and other health pa- One condition exacerbating this alarming situa- people was close to 100 %. The Soviet system rameters—not only of today’s generation, but tion is the fact that the provision of health care is introduced kindergartens and schools; hospitals, also their offspring. In some regions people have largely in the hands of regional authorities, but it clinics, and obstetrics stations were set up. With had to reduce their consumption of traditional is the Ministry of Health, a federal body, which the establishment of the Committee of the North northern food or even abandon it altogether. With answers to Russia’s Organising Committee—and in 1924 came a medical department particularly outside foods in short supply following the to the global community—with respect to indige- responsible for organising mobile medical groups breakdown of collectivities, indigenous peoples nous peoples’ health issues. This is inconsistent to reach remote indigenous peoples. have come to rely again on traditional foods for with practice in other Arctic and sub-Arctic coun- The next transformational wave followed the their survival. But now these are also endanger- tries where, as far as I know, federal authorities break-up of the Soviet Union and the subsequent ing their health. are responsible for the main share of matters transition to a market economy. These changes Thus, many health care achievements made concerning indigenous peoples’ health care. In were as radical as those of the preceding era, during the Soviet period have been lost, while the United States, for instance, the Indian Health though the trends were now in the opposite direc- health indices, mortality rates and life expectancy Service (which includes the Northern Depart- tion as attributes of the previous period were have approached those of the 1920s. A signifi- 2 ment, in charge of indigenous health matters in destroyed. Sovkhozes were subjected to a total cant proportion of infants are born with birth Alaska) has this role. In Canada the situation is defects; too many die during the first years of reorganisation, often incompetently carried out. similar: financing, organisation and implementa- life. A high suicide rate combined with disease In the process, reindeer herding and some other tion of the indigenous peoples’ health care are and alcoholism means that many adults do not economic branches rooted in traditional indige- under the purview of federal authorities and reach old age. Not surprisingly, there is mass nous modes of subsistence were ruined. special ministries. (It should be added that in migrations from tundra regions; former reindeer Having already undergone massive transforma- these countries, indigenous health care provision herders join the lowest socio-economic stratum in tions, indigenous peoples found themselves is carried out with the participation of the indige- the northern residential centres; a proportion largely unable to adapt themselves to these new nous peoples themselves.) There are very sound scrape along by begging and stealing. As R. G. changes. The dissolution of the sovkhozes and reasons for this kind of arrangement. Indeed, Abdulatipov has pointed out, the indigenous the loss of reindeer stock resulted in a sharp even in Russia this was recognised at the begin- peoples of Russia’s North stand on the brink of decrease in living standards: nutrition deterio- ning of the Soviet era, hence the establishment of extinction. rated, among other things. Simultaneously, gov- the Committee for Assistance to the Indigenous Regardless of how well-intentioned they are, ernment-provided medical care, education, com- Peoples of the North. plans and proposed strategies to redress this grim munication lines, and other elements of Soviet Another factor is the discordance between the situation seem ill-conceived and poorly thought life that indigenous peoples had learned to de- areas whose residents are most affected by health out. Let’s take as an example the Federal Target pend upon were cut back. Indigenous peoples problems and the plans which the authorities Programme called “Economic and Social Devel- were now impeded by maladaptation: they had propose to redress them. I recall, for example, an opment of the Indigenous Peoples of the North adapted to an all-encompassing system that had 1 until 2011”. The raft of economic measures article by an official from “Goskomsever” . In fallen to pieces, and could not function effec- which it sets out includes the establishment of the first part of the article he sheds tears for the tively in the new era. This is one of the tragic trading stations, slaughtering and processing poor nomad children who faint from undernour- underlying problems of Russia's northern indige- plants. But the plan does not include answers to ishment and even die in the tundra. But in the nous peoples. these kinds of questions: What will the trading second part he optimistically proposes solutions Whereas mobile unit doctors used to seek out stations trade in, and where are the products to these problems that involve computer/video every reindeer-breeder, taking special care with going to come from? What are the processing monitoring systems, expeditions of Moscow pregnant women and children, today not even plants going to process? There is a great deal of researchers, and other measures within the tuberculosis examinations are carried out for wishful thinking in such proposals, but no solid framework of the “Children of the North” pro- several years, not to mention such “trifles” as ground for real achievements. gramme. While such tactics can lead to im- dentistry, eye examinations and so on. Can this What steps can we take to address the dire provements in the lives of district centre resi- just be attributed to a current lack of government health problems of the indigenous peoples of the dents, they have essentially no impact on those funds? A letter from a reindeer-breeder indicates North? First, the errors of state policy which have who are suffering the most: people in very re- otherwise: contributed to this situation must be admitted at mote areas. The same criticism applies to the the highest levels of authority, and there must be Federal Target Programme “Economic and Social “Sometimes an expensive MI-8 or MI-6 a political will to overcome the current crisis. Development of the Indigenous Peoples of the helicopter arrives in the tundra with medical Second, specific details of the health crisis must North until 2011” (see ANSIPRA Bulletin No. and scientific personnel on board. Physi- be better understood. This will entail analyses of 7). cians fill in their forms, take some tests or health data, which are currently not even being How did this situation arise? Diverse and nu- X-ray photographs and then fly away. If a collected. The lack of reliable nation-wide medi- merous aspects of indigenous peoples’ lives have reindeer-breeder from the tundra or taiga cal statistics on the indigenous peoples of the been negatively impacted from outside through asks them to treat a tooth or supply a pair of North hinders the formulation of solutions. history. During the Soviet era indigenous peoples spectacles, or to give him some pills, he is Another important step will be to rectify the experienced the loss of political self- told that they have no money to buy medi- balance of responsibility between federal and determination, the erosion of traditional health cines, there are no specialists, no equipment, regional authorities. In the past, relations between care practices (in which specialists like kulaks that he should travel to a central regional the political centre and the regions were simple: and shamans played central roles), compulsory hospital and so on. But why do they use all questions were settled by the Union and Re- collectivisation, and the systematic separation of such an expensive helicopter then?” publican bodies while the regions played an children from their parents. The profound cultural Why indeed? executive role. But during the post-Soviet redis- transformations and attitude shifts which went tribution of power, health care for regional popu- hand-in-hand with these changes undermined the Factors affecting the natural environment have lations has passed to the jurisdiction of the indi- traditional socio-cultural cornerstones which had made matters worse. According to research car- vidual administrative units of the Russian Federa- always sustained the indigenous peoples of the ried out by RAIPON and AMAP, the northern tion. In northern regions this has had negative North in their harsh homelands. regions are heavily contaminated by persistent consequences for indigenous people because the regional administrative units are not always able 1 State Committee for Northern Affairs (post-Soviet 2 State farms, abbrev. sovyetskoye khozyaystvo, a form to solve their problems competently and effec- Russia) of collectivity 11 tively. A related problem is the lack of a horizon- tive, health care funds must be used wisely, based economic, social and cultural development mat- tal integration—efficient connections between on an intimate understanding of the current crisis ters concerning the indigenous peoples of the different ministries, departments and organisa- and its causes, learning from examples in other North. For this it is necessary to withdraw appro- tions at the same “level”. In fact, what is urgently northern countries, and involving indigenous priate powers, functions and funds from federal needed is a unified body in Russia which would peoples’ participation in every step of the proc- and regional authorities so these can be redirected formulate and implement the whole complex of ess. to the new committee. The main objective of the measures addressing the peoples of the North, Let us build on the fact that the indigenous Committee’s health care department is to provide and be accountable for them. peoples of the North are today acknowledged and adequate public health care. The officials of the It is also vital that the protection of the envi- esteemed; their problems are the focus of atten- Committee must be researchers specialised in the ronment and health of the indigenous peoples of tion both within Russia and globally. Remember problems of the North, including anthropologists the North be legislatively secured. Article 25 of that this is the International Decade of the as well as specialists who are themselves North- ILO Convention 169 states: World's Indigenous People, an event which the ern indigenous peoples. The following specific United Nations established to mark the impor- ends must be met: “Governments shall ensure that adequate tance of the world’s indigenous peoples. • broaden the prophylactic and out-patient health health services are made available to the care and bring it closer to the actual homelands of peoples concerned, or shall provide them In conclusion, I recommend the addition of the the indigenous peoples of the North, including with resources to allow them to design and following statement to the draft resolution of this new mobile medical groups, health centres, etc.; deliver such services under their own re- meeting of the Organising Committee: • provide communities, brigades of reindeer- sponsibility and control, so that they may breeders, hunters and others who are involved in enjoy the highest attainable standard of “1. We appeal to the President of the Russian indigenous peoples’ traditional occupations, with physical and mental health.” Federation, to the Heads of the Federal Assembly medicines and medical equipment; and the Government of the Russian Federation • provide all reindeer-breeding farms, including This must be the foundation for a Russian legal that the Russian State admit its responsibility for all their subdivisions of any form of property and framework. Lawmakers are proud of the current mistakes made during previous years, and accepts size, with radio stations and other means of per- federal law entitled “On the Guarantees of Rights responsibility for redressing the current indige- manent and regular communication to call for of the Indigenous Peoples of the Russian Federa- nous peoples’ health care crisis with appropriate emergency medical assistance and advice; tion”. But indigenous health matters are inade- emergency and long-term measures that include quately covered in this weighty piece of legisla- the participation of indigenous peoples. • establish special control points affiliated to tion; medical treatment, for example, is just men- health centres in regional centres to keep perma- tioned in passing. In general, the relevant federal 2. We propose the establishment of a State nent connection with reindeer-breeding farms and and regional legislative acts spell out no concrete Committee on the affairs of the traditional natural other remote population groups, offering regular mechanisms, and earmark no firm sums of resources use and the indigenous peoples of the medical consultations and providing mobile money, for carrying out the rights they “guaran- North. This must not turn out to be a recreation of emergency medical visits. tee”. There is ample room for misinterpretation at “Goskomsever” (neither in its aims and objec- the local level. tives nor in its methods of work and personnel 3. To realise the suggestions listed above it is Increased health care funding is another impor- staff). This Committee must be similar to the necessary to establish, with the assistance of tant ingredient but, as I’ve argued, it has not been Committee on Assistance to the Indigenous Peo- RAIPON, a commission affiliated to the central the only cause of the woefully inadequate health ples of the North, was in place from 1924 to 1938 government of the Russian Federation.” care plan for the indigenous peoples of Russia’s and was affiliated to the Presidium of the All- North. By the same token, infusions of money Union Central Executive Committee. The new alone will not reverse the situation. To be effec- Committee must concentrate on a wide range of

About the work of public organisations in the Magadan Oblast

Irina Mikhailovna Yaschenko, head of clan community, village Ola 686010 Magadanskaya Oblast, p. Ola, ul. Lesnaya 3а, kv. 4; Phone: (+7) 41341-25271

After returning from the Constituent Congress of skills. Therefore, with the aim to remove the standing the significance of financial matters we the Youth Union, I and Lesya Lavrishchuk pre- legal and informational vacuum, the idea arose to still hope for a positive result. sented interesting and detailed information to the implement the project “Informational and educa- Besides project development and co-ordina- mass media. It was about the conception of the tional support for the indigenous miorities of the tion, our public organisation “Kadar” is experi- youth movement among Northern indigenous North which engage in traditional crafts in Ma- enced in carrying out several relevant actions. peoples, which was calling upon the youth of our gadanskaya Oblast” (see ANSIPRA Bulletin № We consider these measures to be significant for region to take an active part. Some meetings with 5, 2001). our people: we nominated our candidates for indigenous students from various educational To realise our project we decided to keep elections, contested the abolition of the Native institutions, activists and informal leaders of searching for sponsors in spite of some failures. District and the local body of self-government grassroot associations were organised. In these We responded to any suggestion including those through legal instances, we rendered help in meetings, aims and objectives of the movement of participation in all kinds of competitions held establishing national associations of different were explained. by charitable foundations (Far Eastern Office of forms of property. We also achieved positive Unfortunately our work was not so effective; Eurasia Foundation, Open Society Institute of results: the Supreme Court decided to hold a new there was no real enthusiasm from the native the Soros’ Foundation, MacArthur Foundation). hearing on the case concerning the illegal aboli- youth. This was not an expression of the absence Especially for participation in the programme tion of the Olskiy Native District. The new hear- of problems, but of financial means. To solve this “The Right” of the Open Society Institute, the ing resulted in the decision of the Magadan we tried to negotiate with the Association of the project “Legal education and rendering free Oblast Court to restore the Rayon’s status and Indigenous Peoples of the Magadan Oblast, but legal aid” was prepared. But the only reply to all fixed the date of elections for December 1 of the this did not lead to any results. We made the applications for grants was always the same: the current year. Now we have nominated our candi- following conclusions: Young people are inter- projects were acknowledged to be interesting date, Mikhail T. Yaschenko, for the position of ested in preservation and revival of traditional but the foundations’ resources are limited, so the Head of Olskiy District on behalf of the As- occupations and economy. The problem is that they could finance only the most important sociation and the Magadan Public Organisation people are not competent enough to organise projects. of Indigenous Peoples of the North, “Kadar”, their own business under the competing condi- Clearly realising that all our efforts were not because we believe that the participation of in- tions of the current market economy. Native effective, we decided to apply to ANSIPRA with digenous peoples’ representatives in the election enterprises are not capable of competing with a request to publish our project in its Bulletin. campaign is necessary. large domestic and foreign ones who work in the The request was fulfilled. A long time has passed A few words about the establishment of the Magadan Oblast because of a lack of elementary since our project proposal had been published but public organisation “Kadar”: The idea was that of practical management, marketing and business there have been no sponsors’ offering. Under- a group of Northern native enthusiasts [of Evens

12 – ed.], including me. Why was it necessary to would be able to participate actively in political Red Cross as a significant financial and moral establish another organisation dealing with the activities and to work with executive and legisla- support during the community’s formation, problems of Northern indigenous peoples? The tive bodies of power. The Regional Association which gave us confidence and optimism regard- aim was to achieve efficiency in decision- does not inform its members of forthcoming ing the realisation of our interests. making, courageous lobbying of indigenous actions (programmes, contests, seminars) in Our community had spent money to buy neces- people’s interests and to get into direct contact proper time, as RAIPON does it. We think that sary fishing equipment and then successfully with representatives of different bodies of power under such conditions RAIPON should work carried out salmon fishing during the season of as well as with non-governmental organisations. with indigenous peoples’ associations directly, 2001. With the fishing season completed, the Unfortunately, it is impossible to defend our not through intermediary organisations. Community Council decided to conduct the people’ standpoint under the aegis of the Asso- With our public organisation “Kadar”, the first charitable action “Good without limits”. Within ciation [Magadan Regional Associaition of In- indigenous clan community in the Magadan the framework of the action they offered fresh- digenous Peoples of the North – ed.] because it is Oblast, “Nevte”, was established. Guided by the frozen fish to different Oblast organisations: the politically and financially dependent on the au- activities of “Nevte”, the public organisation boarding school, correction school, and chil- thorities. The reason for this situation is the un- “Kadar” controls the guarantees of indigenous dren’s home of the Olskiy District, the Oblasts’ rightful combination of the position of a special- peoples’ rights and shares its experiences among division of Russian Association of Red Cross for ist on Northern indigenous peoples with that of a other associations. So, after a lapse of time, we disabled persons, the central hospital of the Ol- public leader of the Association. conducted a certain amount of work (explanation skiy District, village and regional public organi- In view of our conception of civil rights and and interpretation of laws promulgated, elabora- sations of indigenous peoples of the Olskiy Dis- observance of regulations of the law, this contra- tion of constitutive documents, consultations) trict, and destitute residents of the village Ola. dicts democratic building of the legal system in with enterprising people, which resulted in the The aim of the charitable action was to develop Russia. establishment of several tribal communities, one initiative at the local level, to inculcate humane- Today, the inactivity of the regional branch of of which is a neighbour community. ness and to contribute to cooperation of different the Association is still evident. Just recently there The tribal community “Nevte” tries to use organisations. was a constituent assembly devoted to the organi- different ways to promote its interests. Soon In the period of our work we managed to estab- sation of Union of Communities and Native after its registration the Community Council lish contacts with some organisations dealing Enterprises in tye Magadan Oblast. Initiators of decided to resettle community members to the with indigenous peoples’ problems, in particular, the assembly are activists – directors of firms native residence areas of their ancestors. To the Legal Centre “Rodnik” and ANSIPRA. who are forced to join their efforts to overcome fulfil this it was decided to develop the project My special thanks to the Legal Centre “Rod- the Association’s passivity and ineffectiveness. “Revival of the clan settlement of the commu- nik” that responds readily to our appeals, con- Its passivity is manifested as follows: native nity”. We asked the Magadan Oblast’s division sulting skilfully on any legal matters and provid- enterprises and communities cannot gain any real of the Russian Association of Red Cross for ing us with copies of documents. We are also support in receiving land plots for free use in the help. The organisation provided the community grateful to Winfried Dallmann (ANSIPRA) who traditional residence areas of their ancestors. with necessities (food and first-aid packs). It represents the informational Network and en- Neither can they obtain a fair distribution of also suggested our project take part in the pro- deavours to coordinate our interests, giving hope fishing quotas, or the determination of a firm gramme “Development of local communities”. to us. quota on food limitation cards. There is an ab- Our project received a grant of $5,000. We sence of training of indigenous personnel who consider the help by the Russian Association of

Russian Indigenous Peoples’ Training Center (RITC)

Rodion Vasilevich Sulyandziga, Director of RITC, e-mail: [email protected]

The Russian Indigenous Peoples’ Training Cen- tenance of agreements between the indigenous project coordination includes a practicum in ter (RITC) is a non-governmental organisation peoples, the state and resource extracting com- Canada on bases of native cooperatives. All formed with the aim of supporting the econo- panies on preservation and development of expenses for the courses are covered by project mic, social and cultural development of the traditional nature-use territories. RITC provides funds. Teachers from both Moscow and the indigenous peoples of the Russian North, Siberia consultation services, prepares educational pro- regions render their services. and the Far East of the Russian Federation. grammes and teaching economical development The center’s department of development helps Project partners are the Russian Association of of the indigenous communities in various regi- the educational course to implement the acqui- Indigenous Peoples of Russian North, Siberia ons of Russia. The Center has two departments. red knowledge to realise socially significant and the Far East (RAIPON) and the Inuit Cir- The department of remote support of the Cen- projects aimed at solving the economic and cumpolar Conference (ICC) branch of Canada. ter organises the educational process, provides social problems of the Northern indigenous The Center is funded by the Canadian Interna- consultation and other services related to the peoples. A fund will be established in this de- tional Development Agency (CIDA). support of economical initiatives of individuals, partment to help the communities carrying out The objectives of the Center are to contribute communities and regions. There is a prepared such projects. to sustainable development of the Northern course about economic development of indige- indigenous peoples, to guarantee their direct nous communities, including studies of Russian Contact: participation in the economic activities and legislation on indigenous peoples, traditional Postal address: 119415, Moscow, P.O.B. 110 processes decided upon at the national, regional nature use, business organisation and establish- Phone: (+7) 095-1264 6939 and local level. The work of the Center is also ment, and also practical exercises concerning e-mail: [email protected] directed towards the establishment and main- fund-raising. A second course about regional Internet: www.ritc.ru

13 Indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation

Part III

Galina Diachkova, Inst. of Humankind, Moscow

In ANSIPRA Bulletin No. 3 (Nov. 1999) and No. 4 (July 2000), we introduced 26 indigenous peoples living in the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation. Except for the Kamchadals, but including the Tofalar, these ethnic groups were those officially recognised as indigenous peoples at the break-up of the Soviet Union. Since, the number has been enlarged to 40 (for a complete list see ANSIPRA Bulletin No. 7, June 2002). The Kereks and Alyutors were earlier grouped with the Koryaks, but have now achieved their independent status as indigenous peoples. The others have newly re- ceived this status. Here we present a short introduction to 8 of these peoples. Unfortunately, we are not able to present statistical data for many of these peoples because they were not singled out in official censuses.

Peoples that received official recognition as indigenous peoples after 1997: (bold print: introduced on the following pages) Europe: Veps Southern Siberia: Chelkans, Chulyms, Kumandins, Shors, Telengits, Teleuts, Tubalar, Tuvinian-Todzhins Northeast: Alyutors, Kereks, Kamchadals Far East: Taz Earlier omitted in ANSIPRA Bull.: Tofalar (Southern Siberia) See enclosed maps for geographic location of these peoples.

Veps tersburg, etc. Affiliation of national language: Altaic family, Lifestyle and subsistence of rural population: Turkic group

The traditional subsistence of the Veps was an Status of national language (1989): Self-designation (singular, ISO spelling): extensive agriculture. The main crops were Mother tongue: 43%; speaking fluently: 45% Bepsja, veps’, vepsja, ljudinikad, tjagalažet barley, rye, oats, flax, and turnip. Stock- Traditional culture: Hunting and small-scale Official names (plural): breeding was next in importance after agri- reindeer breeding Russ.: вепсы; Engl.: Veps culture, while hunting and fishing were sub- Ethno-geography: Other names (plural): Russ.: чудь (pre-Soviet) sidiary occupations. Ceramics was one of the Tofalar live in the Nizhneudinskiy District of Residence area(s): Republic of Karelia (SW oldest crafts. In the second part of the 18th cen- the Irkutskaya Oblast, in the basins of the riv- coastal area of Lake Onega), Leningradskaya tury, such occupations as timber cutting and ers Uda, Biryusa, Kan, Gutara, Iya, etc., in the Oblast (NE), Vologodskaya oblast (NW) floating, and the trade of barge haulier were mountain-taiga zone. In 1930, the Tofa Na- Population numbers: widespread among the Veps. During the Soviet tional District (Tofalarskiy Natsionalnyy Total: 12,500 (1989); Russian Federation: period mining enterprises were established in Rayon) was established in the settlement 12142 (1989) the Vepsan residence areas and forests dimin- Alygdzher. It was later abolished. The forma- Rural population (% in R.F.): 51.5% ished due to timber cutting. Vepsan representa- tion of the Tofalar as a nation took place in the National language: Vepsan. Dialects: Northern tives were involved in administrative work, Sayan area and in adjacent territories of south- (Sheltozerskiy; SW coast of Lake Onega), education, public health care and other spheres ern Siberia. Samoyedic groups, Ket-speaking Middle (NE Leningradskaya Obl. and Baba- of life. tribes and the Turkic tribes of Tuba were in- yevskiy District of Vologodskaya oblast), Traditional dwellings are similar to those volved in the ethnogenesis. By the 19th century Southern (Yefimovskiy; Boksitogorskiy Di- elsewhere in Northern Russia, though they the Tofalar represented an ethnic group with a strict of Leningradskaya Obl.) have some specific features, like household Pan-Turkic language. Affiliation of national language: buildings forming one T-shaped complex Lifestyle and subsistence of rural population: Uralic-Yukagiran family, Finno-Ugric group, (izba). Inside the northern Vepsan izba (pert’) A basis of traditional subsistence was hunting. Finnic subgroup a table is situated near a façade wall (“Finnish” They hunted sable, squirrel, otter, beaver, fox Status of national language (1989): arrangement) while the opening of the stove and wolverine in late autumn and winter, and Mother tongue: 37.5% (Karelia); 69.9% (Le- points towards a side wall. moose, Siberian deer and wild goat during the ningradskaya Obl.) Traditional clothing is similar to that of whole year. They used battue as a way of hunt- Traditional culture: Peasant culture Northern Russia. However, there were some ing. Up to the 20th century their weapons were Ethno-geography: differences: women wore a skirt, not a sarafan, simple cross-bows and rifles. Traditionally The main residence area of the Veps is situated while men had hats of hare fur, neckerchiefs they were nomads using reindeers for migra- between the lakes Onega, Ladoga and Beloye. (kaglan payk), wedding trousers with embroi- tions. There were 20-30 head in one household. The Veps have inhabited this area since the end dery and a fringe on their lower part (kaldyat). In the 19th century the Tofalar started to use of the first millennium AD. In the 12-15th cen- The main elements of traditional food were horses for riding. The most common domestic turies some groups of Veps immigrated to ar- porridge, broth, pies with a fish filling, oat kis- crafts were blacksmith’s work, and processing eas situated to the North of the River Svir, sel, liquorice rye pastry, home-brewed beer, of wood, birch bark and leather. where they underwent Karelian influence and kvas, etc. Gathering was a subsidiary occupation. They contributed to the formation of sub-ethnic gathered cedar nuts, plants (sarana, etc.). groups of Karelians (lyudiks and livviks). Until Nomads lived in conical chums (tents) that the 15th century the major part of the Veps were covered with boiled birch bark in sum- population had lived in the Republic of Nov- Tofalar mer, and moose or Siberian deer skin in winter. gorod. After Novgorod joined the Grand During the 20th century the transition to a sed- Duchy of Moscow, the Veps were registered as Self-designation (singular, ISO spelling): entary way of life took place, a house with a state (so called black-plough) peasants. Their Tofa, tocha framework of logs became the main type of villages (kyulya, pagast) were situated on river Official names (plural): dwelling. banks and lake shores. After the October Revo- Russ: тофалары; Engl.: Tofalar(s) [sgl.: Tofa] Traditional clothes were made of moose, lution of 1917, Vepsan districts (Vinnitskiy Other names (plural): reindeer and Siberian deer skin. Common Rayon in Leningradskaya Oblast, etc.) and vil- Russ.: карагасы; Engl.: Karagas clothes were fur coats with the fur facing in- lage soviets were established. These were abol- Residence area(s): ward, and robes made of reindeer skin and wild ished after the Second World War. Nizhneudinskiy District (Irkutskaya Oblast) goat rovduga (a kind of processed leather) with At present almost half of the Vepsan popula- Population numbers: a straight cut, widening to the bottom and with tion (47.6%) lives in Karelia, 34.2% in the Total: 731; in R.F.: 722 (1989) straight sleeves. In summer men wore kaftans Leningradskaya Oblast, and the remaining Rural population (% in R.F.): 86.6% (1989) made of broad cloth. In winter women wore number in the Vologodskaya Oblast, Saint Pe- National language: Tofa hats of reindeer skin with the fur outside.

14 The traditional staple food of the Tofalar National clothing includes shirts and trou- moved into summer huts for sowing and har- was the meat of ungulates: moose, wild goat, sers made of sackcloth, printed cotton, or silk, vesting. From the Russians, they adopted musk deer, reindeer; as well as bear, hare, as well as camisoles. Women coats were made plough agriculture. squirrel, and game-birds. They used the milk of of squirrel and fox fur, while men wore sheep- Weaving was also developed: hemp and domestic reindeer, which was boiled and added skin coats, fur coats and coats made of goat nettle were used. They processed leather, to tea. They also used this milk to make cheese and reindeer skin. Footwear were chirki (with a manufactured utensils of wood and birch-bark. and curdled milk; frozen milk was kept in soft sole), boots (made of burbot or mammal Men’s clothing comprised shirts, trousers, birch-bark containers, cleaned guts and sto- skin), and brodni boots. In the 18-19th centuries and robes, while women wore long shirts. The machs of animals. the traditional clothing was replaced by Rus- Southern Shors made their clothes of hemp and sian clothing. dogs’ wool. Hunting and fishing products were the basis Chulyms of traditional food. Horse meat and game were broiled or boiled. Northern Shors widely Shors used milk products: curdled milk, unsalted Self-designation (singular, ISO spelling): cheese, curd, butter. Common beverages were Ijus kižiler, pestyn kižiler Self-designation (singular, ISO spelling): Šor home-brewed beer of barley flour (abyrtka), Official names (plural): Official names (plural): and tea. Russ.: чулымцы; Engl.: Chulyms Russ.: шорцы; Engl.: Shors

Other names (plural): Other names (plural):

Russ.: хакасы (Soviet period) Russ.: кузнецкие татары, абинцы, кондом- Residence area(s): ские и мрасские татары Teleuts Tomskaya Oblast and Krasnoyarskiy Kray, Residence area(s): along the rivers Chulym,Yaya and Kiya Kemerovskaya Oblats, Republic of Khaka- Self-designation (singular, ISO spelling): Population numbers: Total: 750 (1980) siya, Republic of Altay Telenget, payat, tatar National language: Population numbers: Total: 16.600, R.F.: Official names (plural): Chulym-Turkish. Dialects: Lower and Central 15.745 (1989) Russ.: телеуты; Engl.: Teleuts Chulym Rural population (% in R.F.): 26.5% (1989) Other names (plural): Affiliation of national language: National language: Russ.: белые калмыки (“White Kalmyks”) Altaic family, Turkic group Shor. Dialects: Mras, Kondoma Residence area(s): Kemerovskaya Oblast, Al- Traditional culture: Affiliation of national language: tayskiy Kray, Republic of Altay Fishing, hunting, gathering, plough agricul- Altaic family, Turkic group Population numbers: Total: ca. 3000 (1989) ture, etc. Status of national language (1989): National language: Altay, southern dialect Ethno-geography: Mother tongue: 58%; speaking fluently: 64% Affiliation of national language: The residence area of the Chulyms is situated Traditional culture: Altaic family, Turkic group in the basin of the River Chulym and its tribu- Fishing, gathering, slash-and-burn agriculture Traditional culture: Nomadic stock-breeding taries Yaya and Kiya, belonging to Tomskaya Ethno-geography: Ethno-geography: Oblast and Krasnoyarskiy Kray. In this area Shors live mostly in the Kemerovskaya Oblast, Most Teleuts (2500), live in the Keme- they established their winter and summer set- the Republic of Khakasiya and the Republic of rovskaya Oblast (Belovskoy, Gurevskiy and tlements, called uluses. Altay. They settle in the basin of the River Novokuznetskiy districts), the remaining part Lifestyle and subsistence of rural population: Tom, along its middle course, and in the basins in the Altayskiy Kray (Zarinskiy and Kyt- A basis of traditional subsistence was fishing. of its tributaries Kondoma and Mras-Su, and in manovskiy districts), in the Republic of Altay Fish (pike, bream, perch, crucian, sterlet, etc.) rural areas of the Tashtagolskiy, Mezhdu- (Shebalinskiy District). In the 19th, ethnogra- were caught with nets, seines, harpoons, locks, rechenskiy and Novokuznetskiy districts. They phers distinguished several groups of Teleuts: and traps. In summer, part of Chulym popula- also live in the towns Myski, Mezhdurechensk, Bachatsk, Tomsk, Altay and Chumysh. An- tion was busy in plough agriculture cultivating Tashtagol, Novokuznetsk, and Kemerovo. Eth- cient tribes of Tele settled in Central Asia. barley, and – with arrival of the Russians – nographers distinguish between a Northern One of the first reference to the Teleuts as oats, rye, and wheat. In addition, they were oc- (forest-steppe) group, the Abins, and a South- “White Kalmyks” was found in Russian cupied with tending herds. In winter they ern (mountain-taiga) group, the Shors. sources from the beginning of the 17th century. hunted fur-bearing animals using composite In the 6-9th centuries, parts of the latter group Since that time, the Teleut clans of Ashky- (sogan) and simple bows, lassos, snares, bil- was included in the Turks, Uygurs and shtym, Togul, Tagap, and Keret at first, and lets, etc. Gathering was a subsidiary occupa- Yenisey-Kaganats, respectively, and experi- then others joined the Russian Empire. On tion. They gathered edible plants and herbs, enced a Turkic influence, partly mingled with their residence area of Kuznetsk “steppe”- berries, cones, etc. The most common domes- ancient Altaian, Uygurs, Yenisey-Kirgiz and volosts (superior districts) were established tic crafts were weaving, timbering, leather- Mongolian tribes, and in the 17-18th centuries and they were forced to pay yasak (fur tax). processing, manufacturing of ropes, birch-bark with the nomadic stock-breeders, the Teleuts. Climatically, the residence areas of the and wooden crockery, boats, skis, sledges, etc. In 1925, the Gorno-Shor National District was Teleuts belong to the forest-steppe, mountain The main traditional food included fish, established, which existed until 1939. The Dis- and taiga-steppe zones. game and plants. Fish was jerked, dried and trict’s centre was situated in the village Myski, Lifestyle and subsistence of rural population: smoked for long-term preservation. They also later in the village Kuzdeyevo. The main traditional occupations of the Teleuts prepared fishsoup, porridge of kurmach (hulled Lifestyle and subsistence of rural population: were nomadic stock breeding in the moun- and dried barley), talkan (a mash of ground The Shors lived in tribal communities. Fishing tain-steppe zone (until the first half of the 18th grains or flour), etc. was the main source of subsistence. The Shors century) and hunting by foot in the taiga- Traditional dwellings were dugouts (odyg), caught grayling, naymen’, ide, pike and burbot steppe zone. They hunted hare, fox, wolf, bear, semi-underground houses (kyshtag) with using nets, seines, traps, rods, harpoons and Siberian weasel, weasel, sable, moose, goat, frameworks of logs and roofs shaped like trun- bows. For transportation, they used boats lynx, duck, woodgrouse, etc. Until the begin- cated pyramids, frame yurts with rectangular or made of hollowed trees or birch-bark. Hunting ning of the 19th century they used bow and ar- polygonal bases and conical roofs, temporary was one of the common occupations for 75- row and spears, and then rifles. They also used dwellings covered with a birch-bark, felt, or 90% of the Shors. Hunted animals were rein- snares, axes, simple cross-bows, etc. Since the bast. Since the 18th century – under Russian in- deer, Siberian deer, horse, fur animals (squir- Teleuts joined the Russian Empire a specific fluence – the Chulyms started to build frame rel, Siberian weasel, otter, ermine, fox, sable, form of sedentary economy combining agri- houses with five walls and cross-vaulting lynx). culture and stock-breeding developed. They houses. Gathering was a subsidiary occupation. started horse breeding, cattle farming (espe- Transportation was traditionally by horse They gathered cedar cones, berries, tubers, cially in the north of the Altay Mountains waggon, sledges, and draggers. One or two roots, bulbs and stems of sarana, kandyk, wild area). They cultivated barley, wheat, millet, dogs were often harnessed to sledges. For onion, ramson, peony, and cow-parsnip. oats, and rye. transportation on water, they used boats made Another main occupation of the Shors was Fishing was a subsidiary occupation. They of hollowed trees, planks and birch-bark. In iron smelting and forging. In the south, slash- caught fish with harpoons, rods, nets, seines, winter, hunters used skis with animal skin and-burn hoe agriculture was common. They bow and arrow. Gathering was widespread soles. cultivated barley, wheat, hemp. In summer they everywhere (cedar nuts, ramson, sarana). Do-

15 mestic crafts of the Teleuts were leather, wood Lifestyle and subsistence of rural population: of September when salmon went to spawning and metal processing, weaving, wicker-work, Unlike the western Tuvinians, who were no- areas. Sun-dried fish (yukola) was stored as- sewing. madic stock-breediers (sheep, goats, cattle, food for people and dogs. Gathered foods Today most of rural population work at horses, camels), the Tuvinian-Todzhins were were eggs of wild birds, nuts, laminaria, wild industrial enterprises and mines. hunters and reindeer breeders. Their main sub- sorrel, berries, etc. Traditional women clothes have been in sistence-related occupation was hunting. They The traditional type of dwelling was a semi- use until now: long dressess (kyunek) with at- hunted wild ungulates (Siberian deer, wild underground house with an octagonal base, tached breastplates, light kaftans, knickerbock- goat, moose, wild reindeer), fur-bearing ani- vertical walls and vaults shaped like truncated ers of printed cotton or sackcloth; coloured mals (sable, squirrel) using bow and arrow cones, and with exterior funnel-shaped shield- woven belts (kur), boots of sheepskin and with blunt tips, simple cross-bows, and rifles screens, which served as entrances. There were leather with high tops, conical headdresses of with tripods. The common way of hunting was wooden stairs leading to dwellings where 3-5 quilted cloth with tassels on the top, winter hats battue using abatis. Reindeer breeding was families lived, each comprising 22-25 mem- of sheepskin with trimming made of beaver or only carried out with small herds. Reindeer bers. In summer the Alyutors lived in tent- sable fur. Outer clothing are warm quilted were also used as a pack animals. Each house- shaped huts. The clothing, mostly made of robes (syrmal) and fur coats (ton, kaptal). More hold possessed a small amount of reindeer. reindeer skin, was similar to that of Chukchi of women’s than of men’s clothing elements The traditional dwelling was the chum and Koryaks: kukhlyanka, trousers for men, are still in use; these include the kaftan (telen), (tent). In summer and autumn it was covered overalls for women. Footwear was made of warm quilted robes, fur coats and leather boots. with birch-bark, in winter with moose skin. reindeer kamus (skin from the lower part of the The basis of traditional food was horse-meat Gathering was a subsidiary occupation. reindeer leg), seal skin, and reindeer chamois. and mutton dishes (broth and soups, sausages) People gathered sarana bulbs, dried and stored Transportation was by dog or reindeer sledges. and milk (beverages like ayran, chegen, vare- them in packsacks. Cedar nuts were gathered Ethnographers believe the Alyutors were nets, cheeses, sour cream, etc.) as well. subjected to significant cultural and linguistic The most common types of dwellings were influence of Yupiks (Siberian Eskimos); in par- stationary conical frame buildings and semi- ticular they adopted the art of carving and en- underground frame or shell houses with rec- Alyutors graving on a walrus tusk. tangular bases and flat or gable roofs. Inside

there was a loam stove. Household buildings Self-designation (singular, ISO spelling): were barns, bathhouses, enclosures for stock, Alutalu Kereks cattle-sheds, hen-houses, etc. Official names (plural):

Russ.: алюторцы; Engl.: Alyutors Self-designation (singular, ISO spelling):

Residence area(s): Ankalakku (“coast-dwellers”) Tuvinian-Todzhins Koryak Autonomous Okrug, mainly the Official names (plural): eastern coastal areas of the Kamchatkan Isth- Russ.: кереки; Engl.: Kereks Self-designation (singular, ISO spelling): mus Other names (plural): Tyva, sojoty, sojony, urjanchajcy Population numbers: ca. 3000 Chukchi: kerekit; Kerek: karakykku Official names (plural): National language: Alyutor Residence area(s): Russ.: тувинцы-тоджинцы; Affiliation of national language: Chukotko- Mys Navarin area (Chukotkan Auton. Okrug), Engl.: Tuvinian-Todzhins Kamchatkan (Palaeo-Asiatic) family nortern part of Koriakski AO Other names (plural): Eastern Todzhins Traditional culture: Reindeer breeding in Population numbers: less than 100 Residence area(s): combination with marine hunting and fishing; National language: Kerek Mountain-taiga areas in the northeast and nomadic and sedentary Affiliation of national language: Chukotko- southeast of the Republic of Tyva Ethno-geography: Kamchatkan (Palaeo-Asiatic) family Population numbers: Sedentary Alyutors have traditionally lived in Cultural centre(s): Ca. 10,000 (5% of all Tuvinians) the north of the Koryak Autonomous Okrug in Village Meynypilgino (Beringovsk District) National language: the Kamchatkan Oblast, mainly on the eastern Traditional culture: Tuvinian, northeastern dialect coast (villages Tymlat, Kichiga, Anapka, Vy- Combination subsistence of fowling, fishing, Affiliation of national language: venka, Tilichiki, Kultushino, Olyutorka, Khay- hunting, sea mammal hunting, fur animal trap- Altaic family, Turkic group lino, Vetvey) and on the western coast (village ping, reindeer breeding Traditional culture: Rekinniki). Nomadic Alyutors migrated from Ethno-geography: Hunting, small-scale reindeer breeding the eastern to the western coast of Kamchatka. According to ethnographical data the Kereks Ethno-geography: Traditional settlements were situated on eleva- once inhabited the territory from Mys In the end of the 1st millennium AD Ket- tions along rivers banks. Baranova (Chukotkan Auton. Okrug) to Mys speaking, Samoyedic and probably Tungus Lifestyle and subsistence of rural population: Olyutorskiy (Koryak Auton. Okrug). Accord- tribes inhabited the eastern mountain-taiga The basic subsistence of the Alyutors was a ing to the census of 1897 there were about 600 part of Tuva. At that time the Turkic tribes of combination of reindeer breeding and marine Kereks. By the beginning of 20th century many Tuba (related to the Uygurs) appeared; it was hunting and fishing. There were kinship and groups of Kereks had been assimilated, mostly their influence that caused a “turkization” of economic connections between the nomadic by the Chukchi. The Kereks were divided into the whole local population that ended by the and sedentary groups. On the basis of these two territorial groups: yjulallakku (“upper 19th century, and that resulted in the self- connections they established artels, which in- Kereks”; Navarin Bay) and iutylallakku (“low- designation Tuba or Tuva. In the 13-14th cen- cluded 7-8 participants, for spring and autumn er Kereks”; Khatyrka River). Today the re- turies Mongolian tribes immigrated to the ter- marine hunting, and larger cooperatives for maining people live in the Mys Navarin area, ritory of present-day Tyva, which initiated the summer fishing. in the village Meynypilgino and other villages formation of the Central Asiatic Mongolid ra- Reindeer breeding is characterized by small of the Chukotkan Auton. Okrug. cial type to which the Tuvinians belong. In the herds with joint ownerships by 4-6 herders. Up Lifestyle and subsistence of rural population: Middle Age (end of 16th to second half of 17th to several animals in these herds belonged to Fowling and hunting for small animals tradi- century) Tuva was a part of the Mongolian sedentary Alyutors. The most important tionally started in spring. One of the ways of state of Altynkhan, and was then under hunted sea mammals and seals that were fowling consisted in using nets made of whale China’s jurisdiction from the middle of the hunted not far from the shore line. Hunting tendon (paynintyn) which were lowered from a 18th century to 1911. In 1914 the People’s Re- groups armed with rifles and spears hunted rock where birds were nesting. The Kereks public Tannu-Tuva was established, after with dog sledges. Sea mammals’ fat was used used also bows. In summer they fished (red 1926 called Tuvinian People’s Republic. In for lighting the houses. The meat was con- salmon, hunchback salmon, Siberian salmon, 1944 Tuva became a part of the Russian Fed- sumed at once or stored. The skin was used to loach, etc.) using harpoons, locks, clubs. In au- eration as an autonomous oblast. In 1961 it make belts and footwear. Hunting of fur- tumn they hunted wild reindeer, wild sheep and was transformed into the Autonomous Soviet bearing animals on land (otter, fox, wolverine, bears. In contrast to the Chukchi and Yupik, Socialist Republic of Tuva, in 1991 into the ermine, hare) was carried out from December the Kereks were occupied in coastal sea Republic of Tuva, and in 1993 renamed Re- to February. Salmon fishing (Siberian salmon, mammal hunting (seal, walrus). In winter the public of Tyva. humpback salmon, etc.) using seines was car- Kereks hunted fur-bearing animals (fox, wol- ried out from the middle of June to the middle verine, Arctic fox, etc.).

16 During the Soviet era Kereks were occupied and spits living in dugouts (kuymayaana). They the heated stone slabs. The food was edable in reindeer breeding together with Chukchi and deepened the floor of the winter dwelling by after long stewing. Koryaks. 0.5 m. It had a rectangular base; they placed The Kereks’ clothing was similar to that of Gathering was a subsidiary occupation. pillars in corners at a distance of 2-4 m from Chukchi and Koryaks, made of reindeer skin They gathered sea cabbage, algae, clams, cedar each other and joined them by cross-beams. On and edged with dog or other animal fur. nuts, and berries. these cross-beams, they set poles in a circle One of the main heroes of the Kereks’ myths Among the traditional means of transporta- deepening a base of each pole into the ground. was Raven Kukki, which also was typical for tion there was a skin baydara, which was They covered the dwelling with sod and sand. other Palaeo-Asiatic peoples (Chukchi, Kor- shorter and broader than that of Chukchi and In winter they faced it with ice. yaks, Itelmens). Close interactions between Yupik. They also used stocky dog sledges. The Food was prepared in an earth oven (puyal- Kereks and surrounding peoples resulted in a Kereks’ skis were similar to those of Chukchi kyk) that was faced with large flat stone slabs. significant influence of the Chukchi and Kor- and were called “crow’s skis”. Bird carcasses and animal flesh with the skin yak languages; some elements of Yupik lan- The Kereks traditionally inhabited small hills left on, but intestines removed, were placed on guage were also borrowed.

NOTES:

Russian locals trying to stop tory is just part of the problem. The company nowhere in sight, it is difficult to attract people that owns it, Porzcharski, has contracts to sup- to reindeer breeding. The people, especially major road from being built ply the Japanese, and is hungry for the ancient former herders, have forgotten how to work, or into their wilderness area cedar trees. In the south a second large com- rather don’t want to. For them it is easier, and pany, Terneyles, runs a sawmill and has already very cost-effective, to sell raw fish roe to the Reprint from "The Timber Trap", by Paul taken down 10% of the forest -- which is sup- merchants and receive small unemployment Brown, The Manchester Guardian Weekly, posed to be kept exclusively for game and hunt- benefits during the winter. And so it stays from January 15, 2003 ing. Other smaller companies, some of which one year to the next. On the river, and every- only exist for a few days, cut a lorry-load of where else, chaos reigns; there are many mer- The Russian Udege forest hunters stood at the trees and then disappear -- making them impos- chants and newcomers. Because of the roe busi- border of their traditional Russian territories and sible to prosecute. Rewards are high: cedar is ness, lots of fish are thrown back into the river threatened to shoot the Russian road workers if worth $ 19 a cubic metre, so one tree can com- and onto the shore, and much is dug down in the they crossed the line that represents the last mand $ 480. earth. Hunting areas are assigned to representa- frontier of the pristine forest protecting the tives of the non-indigenous population because For material on this issue see also: game on which the Udege depend. To the out- only they can pay for the licence and for the ANSIPRA Bulletin No. 1, Indigenous peoples side world, a defeat for the Udege will see the permit to bear weapons. and sustainable development: Community- dashing of hopes for the survival in the wild of The villagers are very worried about the edu- oriented strategy (P. Sulyandziga) the Siberian tiger -- but for the Udege it is also cation of their children. We have no teachers for ANSIPRA Bulletin No. 5A, The Udege are forest their survival as a separate people. The Russian mathematics for the older classes, and therefore people, and they protect their forest (P. Su- Government building of the 1,000 km road has our pupils cannot qualify for higher educational lyandziga, T. Køhler & O. Murashko) stopped. It was started at each end -- on the institutions. The former head of the village ANSIPRA Bulletin No. 5B, History and culture coast and deep in the interior of eastern Siberia administration sold the facilities which were of the Bikin Udege (N. Pionka) – with a plan to meet in the middle, in order to reserved for the teachers. If anyone would like bring out the logs from the last 30km of un- to start to work at school, there would be no touched forests in the region. The 30 km needed place to live. The hospital does not have even to join the two ends of this vast project run Life in the village today the most necessary medicines; many people are through tiger country at the headwaters of the suffering from tuberculosis. There is no possi- Bikin river. This is the most biodiverse virgin Vladimir Vladimirovich Kovavna bility to bring the sick to the district’s hospital forest in Russia with 380-year-old cedar trees village Khaylino, Olyutorskiy District, Koryak for medical examinations. and giant blue subtropical butterflies. It was Auton. Okrug From the beginning of the 1990s, the com- here that the road builders met the hunters and pany ZAO Koryakgeoldobycha has been ex- stopped work. Twice the Udege people have Where have we gone? The population has tracting platinum on our territory. Neither a lost their two District Court battles to stop the shrunk from 1500 people in 1985 to 875 in villagers’ assembly nor a referendum was car- road. The villagers discovered just in time that 2002. The main reason for the decrease is the ried out with the native population about the the developers had not done an environmental emigration of the population to the “mainland” conditions of this work. Agreements about the impact assessment of the road, something re- due to poor living conditions for the indigenous enforcement of the work in our district were quired under Russian law. inhabitants as the result of a recession in pro- only made between the district’s and the ok- The road could yet be declared illegal. The duction. Because of this there is a high unem- rug’s administrations, and ZAO Koryakgeol- fate of the Udege and the tiger is a modern ployment (125 persons), drunkenness, and a dobycha. In 2000, I collected signatures against parable of the disaster that is overtaking the high mortality rate. In the beginning of the the platinum extraction, but the head of the local natural world. Desire for short-term profit from 1980s, the number of reindeer amounted to administration tried to talk himself out of it. He local timber merchants, selling logs to feed the 15,800, the production of venison amounted to said that nothing could be achieved against such appetite for expensive hardwood furniture from 5000 t, and 150 persons were employed in agri- enterprises like ZAO. the developed world, leads to the destruction of cultural production, 12 of these in reindeer Now, taking courses at the Russian Indige- the tiger's last habitat in the Asia Region. The breeding. Other livestock included 200 head of nous Training Center, I have become convinced traditional Udege hunters today include Rus- cattle and 300 pigs, as well as 1500 poultry. of the opposite. It is possible to use the legisla- sians and another native people called Nanai. Today, the number of reindeer is 2000 and tive acts for our benefit and to enlist the support They belong to a cooperative that has a quota there are 18 cattle, of which 9 are cows. 18 of concerned organisations. for sable, red squirrel, mink, elk, moose, wild people are occupied in agriculture, 15 of these boar, bears, badgers and otters. The main in- with reindeer breeding. Reindeer have not been come is the money for the skins the hunters sell slaughtered for 4 years in a row. We receive at the St. Petersburg fur market. Illegal logging almost no salary. With the number of reindeer is rife. The halted road in the north of the terri- not currently increasing and decent payment

17 New website on “Territories Snowchange 2003: On behalf of our people, our children and in respect of our ancestors, we call upon responsi- of Traditional Nature Use for Conference Declaration ble nationstates in general, and the Russian Indigenous Peoples” Federation in particular, as citizens of the global Conference on Indigenous Observa- village and members of the United Nations who TTNU IP Kamchatka tions of Ecological and Climate carry a responsibility to uphold international Change laws, ratified conventions and signed agree- Internet: http://ttp.klie.ru ments, to immediately implement them. A new website concerns the traditional use of 22-25 February 2003, Murmansk, Russia We especially highlight the following actions: nature Territories belonging to the indigenous As Arctic peoples have shown since time im- • Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the minority groups of the North, Siberia and the memorial, life in the North requires flexibility. Russian Federation to ensure its entry into Far East of the Russian Federation. Standardiz- In the modern world, this principle applies not force during 2003. ing documents can be found on the site dealing only to our physical and spiritual connections to • The establishment of mechanisms for in- with questions concerning TTNU, articles and the environment, but also to the legal, political volving indigenous people when evaluating studies on the experience gained and the prob- and economic circumstances that affect our impacts related to transportation on the Arc- lems encountered when establishing such terri- lives. To maintain and improve our ability to tic Seas, and extractive and industrial devel- tories, samples of the necessary documents and respond and adapt to climate change, or any opments in the North. various other latest information. other environmental disturbances, we must Ratification of the International Labor Or- This site opened within the framework of the • preserve a healthy, resilient environment and ganization Convention Number 169 con- project entitled “Land and our forefathers' tradi- create human institutions based on participation, cerning indigenous peoples and tribes in in- tions - to their descendants”. The project has and respect. This course means aiming not for dependent countries been in operation since the spring of 2002 on maximum economic use of resources, but for • Securing rights and cultural interests of Kamchatka. The principle objective of the pro- investment in environmental reserves and cul- ject is to jointly assist the communes of the indigenous peoples in relationships to for- tural diversity. estry, tourism and lichen-industry. indigenous peoples of the North in the Kam- The world is in an accelerating spiral of chatka oblast to organize a TTNU as well as change and uncertainty. Participants at Snow- • The extension of an invitation to the UN- make arrangements for economic activities for change 2003, representing indigenous communi- Special Rapporteur of Indigenous Peoples the indigenous population in that particular ties from around the Arctic, shared stories of issues, Mr. Rudolfo Stavenhagen, for an of- territory. common experiences. Temperatures are warmer ficial visit concerning the Sami people on A grant funding the implementation of this and the weather is now unpredictable; the sea Kola Peninsula in Murmansk oblast. project was allotted by a US agency for interna- ice is thinner and freezes later in the fall and • The incorporation of traditional uses on the tional development with assistance from a Rus- melts earlier in the spring, winter rains create land by indigenous people, including the sian-American Business Cooperation Fund. The thick layers of ice on the tundra. Species that hunting and harvesting of culturally signifi- US agency supervises an international aid pro- form the basis of our traditional lifestyles - cant species, into environmental protection gramme that gives economic and humanitarian whales, seals, reindeer, and many birds- are plans. help to more than 80 countries. The Russian- under increasing threat from climate change. The Snowchange process is one mechanism for American Fund for Business Cooperation is We do not own the Earth, we just borrow it providing indigenous peoples with a common located in Seattle and is a non-commercial from future generations. forum for raising and discussing issues of con- organization committed to expanding economic We, as participants at the Snowchange 2003 cern to them and for sharing ideas for progress ties between Russia and the United States. and representing a wide range of individuals and and improvement. Our future work and confer- non-governmental organizations (NGOs), call ences will continue this effort, and we invite all Source: Ethno-Ecological Information Center on world leaders to replace the unrestrained use who share our commitment and concerns to join “Lach”, 31 January 2003 and misuse of natural resources with develop- us. Translated by: Arctic Peoples Alert ment that follows the principles of sustainability and respect for human and indigenous rights.

18 NEW BOOKS:

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DEFENCE OF kinds of Sámi participation and activism have evolved including innova- TRADITIONAL NATURE-USE RIGHTS OF THE tive politics, informative media, expressive art and literature. Accommodating internal and external changes is nothing novel to the INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF RUSSIA Sámi. The dialogue between what is traditional and what is modern is a (orig. title: РЕКОМЕНДАЦИИ ПО ЗАЩИТЕ ПРАВ natural part of their development towards the maintenance of Sámi cul- КОРЕННЫХ МАЛОЧИСЛЕННЫХ НАРОДОВ tural distinctness. РОССИИ НА ТРАДИЦИОННОЕ ПРИРОДОПОЛЬ- Veli-Pekka Lehtola (Ph.D.), senior research fellow in the Giellagas Institute at the University of Oulu (Oulu, Finland), has published several ЗОВАНИЕ) articles concerning Sámi culture, history and anthropology. In 1997 he Edited by V.L. Mischenko, cand. jurid. sci. received the prestigious Israel Ruong prize for his scientific contributions “Ekoyuris” Institute of eEco-Juridical Problems; Moscow, 2000. as a distinguished Sámi scholar. Distributed for free through the Russian Association of Indigenous Peo- ples of the North, 119415 Moscow, P.O.B. 110. MANY FACES OF GENDER: A collection prepared by the lawyers of the “Ekoyuris” Institute of Eco- ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH TIME Juridical Problems with financial support of the Institute “Open Society”. The collection comprises recommendations for the realisation of constitu- IN INDIGENOUS NORTHERN COMMUNITIES tional rights of the indigenous peoples of Russia, as well as texts of the Edited by Lisa Frink, Rita S. Shepard, and Gregory A. Reinhardt main regulations on clan communities and their associations, compiled by Publishers: state institutions’ specialists on problems of indigenous peoples of Russia. 1) University Press of Colorado: Hardcover ISBN 0-87081-677-2, $45.00; Paperback ISBN 0-87081-687-X $19.95 EXPERIENCES WITH ETHNOLOGICAL 2) University of Calgary Press: Paperback (Northern Lights, vol.2), ISBN 1-55238-093-9 ASSESSMENT 232 pp., 8 black & white photographs, 16 line drawing, 13 tables, 1 map (orig. title: ОПЫТ ПРОВЕДЕНИЯ ЭТНОЛОГИЧЕС- For more information or to order see: http://www.upcolorado.com or КОЙ ЭКСПЕРТИЗЫ) http://www.uofcpress.com Edited by O.A. Murashko Many Faces of Gender is an interdisciplinary volume that seeks to address Moscow, 2002. the dearth of descriptions and analysis of gender roles and relationships in Distributed through the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Native societies in the far North. This collection complements existing North, 119415 Moscow, P.O.B. 110. conceptual frameworks and develops new methodological and theoretical An assessment of potential impacts of the prospecting programmes of approaches that more fully articulate the complex nature of social, eco- OAO “Gazprom” in the waters of the Ob and Taz bays on the sustainable nomic, political, and material relationships between men and women in development factors concerning indigenous peoples. The volume has been indigenous northern communities. The contributors challenge the wide- prepared at the behest of RAIPON. It contains results of ethnological spread notion that Native women's and men's roles have been frozen in assessments of concrete projects and recommendations for carrying out time, a concept that precludes the possibility of differently constituted ethnological impact assessments for the industrial exploaitation of natural gendered categories and changing power relations and roles through time. resources with effects on the ethno-cultural environment of traditional, By examining the pre-historical, historical, and modern records, they indigenous homelands. demonstrate that these roles are not fixed and have indeed gradually trans- formed. Many Faces of Gender is ideal for anthropologists, archaeologists and CUSTOM AND LAW. STUDIES IN LEGAL others with an interest in historical anthropology and archaeology, cultural ANTHROPOLOGY studies, gender studies, women's studies, and household and lithic studies. (orig. title: ОБЫЧАЙ И ЗАКОН. ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ ПО ЮРИДИЧЕСКОЙ АНТРОПОЛОГИИ) RUNNING WITH REINDEER: ENCOUNTERS IN Chief editors: N.I. Novikova, V.A. Tishkov RUSSIAN LAPLAND Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Roger Took Moscow, Publ. house “Strategy”, 2002. 393 pp. ISBN 5-9234-0021-9 Bookpoint, Oxfordshire, 2003. 365 pp. Illustrated. Hardback. Price: For more information see: £18.99. ISBN 0 7195 5736 4 http://jurant.iea.ras.ru.publ/custlaw2002/content.htm Orders to: phone: +44-1235 400 400, fax: +44-1235 400 500 This collection of articles has been prepared on the basis of lectures read Russian Lapland, a region of amazing contrasts. Here lies the last true at the Second international summer school of legal anthropology. The wilderness of Europe, a rich and pristine ecosystem teeming with bird and school was dedicated to protecting and using natural resources, the right to animal life. But here too lie the dark, satanic mills of the former Soviet biologically renewable resources by the indigenous peoples under con- Union and the rotting remnants of the Northern Fleet's nuclear subma- temporary conditions, and also how these problems are solved in interna- rines. Despite its strategic importance to the Allies during both World tional law as well as in national and customary law of Russia and Canada. Wars, Russian Lapland - renamed Murmansk Region and now frequently The originality of this school lay in the priority given to issues of court referred to as the Kola Peninsula - remained a forgotten corner of Europe, protection of indigenous peoples’ rights and possibilities of out-of-court inaccessible to foreign visitors, until perestroika. Running with reindeer is solutions through negotiations, etc. the first English account of life in this harsh but beautiful land for over a This book is of interest to politicians, lawyers, ethnographers, historians century. and activists of national and cultural movements. Roger Took is almost certainly the first foreigner since the Russian Civil War of 1918-1920 to have explored the region extensively, witness- THE SÁMI PEOPLE - TRADITIONS IN ing at first hand the disturbing aftermath of communism. Living among TRANSITION remote reindeer-herding and hunting families, he follows the lives and traditions of the indigenous Lapps, or Saami. He meets pioneering villag- Veli-Pekka Lehtola ers descended from medieval Novgorod fur-traders who are now learning Kustannus-Puntsi Publishers, Aanaar/Inari, Sápmi, Finland, 2002. 139 pp., to cope with the new economy, and the men and women originally forced richly illustrated. ISBN 952-5343-11-1 north to mine Russian Lapland's fabulous mineral wealth but now unem- Price: EUR 20.00 plus postage. ployed and stranded. For more information and to order the book see: His arduous adventures take him to a lost Eden - home to bears, elk, http://www.puntsi.fi/sami.htm reindeer and birds of prey, and fish that anglers dream of. And, avoiding Sámi culture has undergone powerful changes recently. Traditions have the still vigilant security services, he explores the naval bases where nu- been integrated with contemporary influences and perspectives. New clear-powered submarines are lying dangerously neglected.

19

His encounters with the land and its inhabitants are dramatic and comi- phone: (+1)-617 441-5406, fax: (+1)-617 441-5417, e-mail: cal as well as emotionally disturbing and at times physically dangerous. [email protected] Moving between the lines of the official histories, coping with arduous Arctic condition and avoiding the vigilant state security services, he writes The reindeer-herding peoples who make up the South-Siberian and Mon- compellingly. The result is a vivid account of a unique part of Europe. golian Reindeer-Herding Complex include the Dukha of northwestern Mongolia; the Tozhu, Tofa, and Soyot in south Siberia; and the Evenki, who range throughout south Siberia and into the northern tip of China's THE TROUBLED TAIGA: SURVIVAL ON THE Inner Mongolia province. They use reindeer predominantly as pack and MOVE FOR THE LAST NOMADIC REINDEER riding animals to facilitate their hunting, and as a source of milk products. HERDERS OF SOUTH SIBERIA, MONGOLIA, AND While each of these peoples is ethnically and culturally distinct, they are all confronting threats to their cultural survival, including transitions to CHINA market-based economies, land privatization, mineral extraction, tourism, Brian Donahoe global warming, language endangerment and loss, and assimilation into Journal: Cultural Survival Quarterly, Spring 2003 the dominant Russian, Mongolian, and Chinese cultures. This issue of For more information and orders: Sofia Flynn Publications, Cultural Sur- Cultural Survival Quarterly is a collaborative effort among Russian, West- vival, 215 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. ern, and indigenous experts to give much-needed exposure to these en- dangered cultures and to initiate discussion about some possible solutions.

MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES:

14-19 September 2003: industry, representatives of Arctic communities and ICT users, to share Annual Beringia Days Conference ideas, experiences and best practices in order to improve the quality of life and contribute to healthy and vibrant communities in Northern rural areas. Anadyr, Chukotka, Russia Many participants at the Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials’ meeting The Chukotka Regional Administration has notified the US National Park in Iceland, 23-24 October 2003, are expected to attend. Service that they will host the annual Beringia Days conference in The conference will be organized into a plenary session in the morning Anadyr, Chukotka, Russia, the week of September 14, 2003. This annual of October 20th, two parallel workshop sessions in the afternoon and a conference has been sponsored the past six years in Anchorage by the round-table discussion on the 21st. The plenary session on the first day Anchorage Museum of History & Art and the National Park Service. The should provide an overview of the current status of ICT infrastructure in purpose of the event has been to report to the public the scientific and the Arctic and the challenges for building an Arctic ICT community that is community activities that take place in the Beringian Region of northwest comprehensive from the point of view of geographic reach and techno- Alaska and Chukotka. logical access. The role of an Arctic ICT system in creating a sustainable Flights will depart from Anchorage and Nome for Anadyr. Hotel ac- economy should also be examined and the importance of giving the rest of commodations are available. Valid passport information will need to be the world access to the North through an Arctic Information Highway. provided by interested participants by the end of June. The two parallel workshops will examine distance education on the one Further information: http://www.nps.gov/akso/beringia hand and telemedicine on the other. They will focus on best practices in Contact: Peter Richter, phone: (+7) 907 – 257 2617; e-mail: these fields, the need to build on what has been achieved and make appro- [email protected] priate recommendations for future collaborative actions. The conference will conclude with a round-table discussion in the morning of October 21st summarizing the discussions on the previous day and formulating its conclusions. 20 - 21 October 2003: Registration deadline: 10 September 2003. If you wish to participate in Conference “Information and Communication the conference please fill in the registration form found on the website Technology in the Arctic” http://vefir.unak.is/ICTConference/ and send it by e-mail, fax or airmail Akureyri, Iceland to: Congress Reykjavik, Engjateigur 5, IS-105 Reykjavik, Iceland, tel.: +354 585 3900, fax: +354 585 3901, e-mail: [email protected]. There The Icelandic chairmanship of the Arctic Council is preparing an Interna- is no conference fee. tional Conference on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Language: Working language of the conference will be English with in the Arctic: Opportunities and Obstacles for Sustainable Development, simultaneous translation into Russian Education and Telemedicine. Results: The conclusions of the conference will be presented to the Senior The aim of the conference should be to ask and discuss critical ques- Arctic Officials’ meeting in October. All presentations will be made tions relating to the use of ICT, associated technical and social issues and available on the Internet. benefits to Arctic residents. The conference is also intended to suggest Contact person: Yana Alexandrova, ICT Conference Coordinator, Uni- collaborative actions among Arctic countries to promote ICT development versity of Akureyri, e-mail: [email protected] based on best available practice. It will bring together individuals of dif- More information: http://vefir.unak.is/ICTConference/ ferent backgrounds, policy makers, academics, people from business and

20