Participant of the Eurasian Association of Women Regional Leaders held a presentation in New York on the experience of Ugra in preserving the culture of the indigenous peoples of the North
In April 2024, the 23rd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was held in New York, United States of America. The forum was attended by representatives of the United Nations, indigenous peoples of the world, as well as representatives of government structures of national States.
During their presentations, the participants of the session touched upon the issues of modernization of traditional economic activities, involvement and support of youth fr om among the indigenous peoples of the world, participation in decision-making through Councils of Representatives and other advisory bodies.
According to data published by the UN Human Rights Office, the Russian Federation is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. Russian legislation protects the "indigenous peoples of Russia,” which are defined as peoples living in the territory of the traditional settlement of their ancestors, preserving the traditional way of life and crafts.
Vladimir Yakushev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Ural Federal District, noted that the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Ugra is a leader in supporting the indigenous peoples of the North. The Government of the Autonomous Okrug provides grant support to projects that contribute to the development of traditional economic activities.
During the 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum, Tatyana Dyatlova, a member of the Presidium of the Association of Finno-Ugric Peoples of the Russian Federation, coordinator of the Association of Finno-Ugric Universities, Candidate of Economics, participant of the International Club "Eurasian Association of Women Regional Leaders,” presented opportunities for the preservation and development of the way of life of indigenous people.
During the speeches, Tatyana Alexandrovna presented the project "Green IT Camp" about the installation of solar panels in places wh ere indigenous peoples live, which provides electricity to the camp without harming the environment. The international community has also been presented with the project "Camp School-garden,” which provides Internet access in remote areas to receive education without interrupting the traditional way of life. "Today, more than 50 children aged 3 to 7 years are engaged in the camp school. With the help of grant support, national media, audio newspapers in native languages, films and animations, games and comics are being developed, which help to introduce the traditional way of life. Many of these projects are included in the regional plan of events held during the International Decade of Indigenous Languages," Tatyana Alexandrovna noted.
The international community highly appreciated the contribution of Russia and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Ugra to the development and preservation of the culture and way of life of the indigenous peoples of the North. The speakers noted that Russia preserves the way of life of indigenous peoples, which allows the country to rely on its own proven standards and opinions on many issues.
Speaking about attracting the younger generation from among the indigenous peoples, young people are becoming more interested in the culture of indigenous ethnic groups. Thirty-two thousand representatives of indigenous peoples, including Khanty, Mansi and Nenets, live in the Khanty–Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Ugra. Of the total number of indigenous peoples, over 15 thousand are young people. A public organization “The Union of Youth of the Ob-Ugric Peoples” has been established in the autonomous Okrug. More than 150 young people from among the indigenous peoples became participants in the School of Youth Leaders of the Indigenous Peoples of the North.
"We support the efforts of the United Nations to involve the younger generation of indigenous peoples in dialogue, which will contribute to strengthening spiritual and moral values as the basis of Russian society. Russia's experience in preserving and developing linguistic diversity, our joint efforts, active and creative participation in common events will greatly benefit both the peoples themselves and the world as a whole," Tatyana Dyatlova noted at the end of the thematic presentations.
For the Autonomous Okrug, the diversity of traditions and customs of indigenous peoples has developed into a unique mosaic of Ugra. The mutual influence of cultures and worldviews is the basis for the development of the Autonomous Okrug, and at the same time, the prospect for the exchange of experience with the international community and the assessment of Ugra practices by foreign experts at a high level.
