Congress of Indigenous and Small-Numbered Peoples was held at the National Centre RUSSIA

On 25 April, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted festive events dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Association of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East of the Russian Federation, and the 95th anniversary of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra.

The events were attended by more than 400 delegates and guests from 27 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, from Murmansk to Kamchatka, representing 40 nationalities of Russia’s indigenous peoples.

The members of the Association received a welcome message from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on the occasion of the Association’s 35th anniversary. The message was read out by Deputy Head of the Executive Office of the President of the Russian Federation, Magomedsalam Magomedov.

In his message, the President praised the work of the Association, which, over many years of cooperation with government authorities, has implemented initiatives in the fields of education and enlightenment, social infrastructure development, as well as projects aimed at preserving native languages and the unique traditions of Russia’s indigenous small-numbered peoples. The head of state especially noted that representatives of indigenous small-numbered peoples honourably continue the legacy of their ancestors, bravely defending the interests of the country. Vladimir Putin emphasized that the Government of the Russian Federation prioritizes the strengthening of interethnic harmony and the preservation of the cultural identity of all peoples.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Magomedsalam Magomedov noted that the goal of the state national policy is the preservation of every ethnic group living on the territory of the Russian Federation and the strengthening of all-Russian civic unity of the country’s multinational people. He added that Russia has created a unique and comprehensive model for ensuring and protecting the rights of indigenous small-numbered peoples, unmatched in global practice.

A key role in this work belongs to the Association of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East of the Russian Federation, which takes an active part in the activities of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations. Among the Association’s proposals that formed the basis of the President’s instructions following the Council’s meeting are the introduction of a federal registry of indigenous small-numbered peoples and the adoption of additional social support measures for students in higher education institutions.

In the near future, the Government of the Russian Federation will adopt an updated Concept for the Development of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the Russian Federation through 2036.

Another initiative currently underway is the establishment of an official holiday — the Day of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples.

Magomedsalam Magomedov also extended special greetings to servicemen of the Russian Federation from among the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North who took part in the festive event. The Deputy Head of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation presented Letters of Gratitude from the President of the Russian Federation to members of the Association.

Members of the Association also received awards from the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Ministry of Education of Russia, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, and the Ministry of Culture of Russia.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The current congress was organized with the support of the Government of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra. Welcoming the delegates and participants, the Governor of Yugra, Ruslan Kukharuk, noted that the history of the Association aligns with the history of our country.

The celebration concluded with a concert featuring the finest creative ensembles, including folklore groups from Yugra, Yakutia, Chukotka, the Magadan region, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, and Tuva.

A special highlight of the celebration was the exposition "Yugra Through the Ages," dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the region. For the first time, audience had the opportunity to view unique photographs by renowned photographer Oleg Zotov, whose photographic works are exhibited at the Tretyakov Gallery, the Hermitage Museum, and the Mariinsky Theatre. Particular attention was given to the collection of the ethnographic museum "Toruma Maa."

As a commemorative gift for the participants of the events, a collection titled "Victory Day in the Languages of the Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East of the Russian Federation" was presented. It was published in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War by the Association of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East of the Russian Federation and the Centre for Traditional Knowledge and Languages of the Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East. The book features more than 70 original author translations of the famous song "Victory Day" by Vladimir Kharitonov, along with war-themed songs, translated into 45 languages of the indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East of Russia (including dialects and vernaculars).

The business part of the programme included the 10th Congress of the Association, where the results of four years of work were reviewed and a new president of the Association was elected. By a majority vote, the delegates elected the Association’s Vice President, Senator of the Russian Federation A.V. Novyukhov, as the new leader for the upcoming term.