THE SECOND DECADE OF INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES OF THE WORLD CONTINUES
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International Labour Organization
(ILO) - one of the UN organizations
I found the information of the "CULTURAL SURVIVAL VOICES" newspaper
(autumn 2004, part 3, issue 2) very useful by contents and understandable
for our indigenous peoples by language of narration. Here are some of
the materials.
How can ILO help indigenous peoples?
This is a special affiliated to UNO organization, consisting not only
of governments, but of workers and employees. It supports international
labour standards and presents the wide range of mechanisms of labour and
human rights protection. The most important ILO's states concerning indigenous
peoples are contained in Conventions 169 and 107.
What is the ILO Convention 169?
The ILO Convention 169 is an agreement protecting rights of indigenous
peoples. In accordance with the Convention all the projects related to
indigenous peoples' interests and their lands should be planned with participation
of representatives of indigenous peoples.
How does the ILO Convention 169 work?
The ILO Convention169 is a treaty compulsory to execute by all the states
which ratified it. If your rights are infringed, you can apply to a labour
protecting or workers' rights protecting organization asking them to hand
in an application on your name to the ILO.
What is the ILO Convention 107?
The ILO Convention 107 is the previous version of the ILO Convention 169
working in some countries. The ILO Convention 107 declares that indigenous
peoples should have the same rights and possibilities as all the other
citizens of the country.
How can the ILO Convention 169 help me?
If a country has retified the ILO Convention 107, but has not retified
the ILO Convention 169, you can hand in an application on violation human
rights in the order stated by the ILO Convention 169.
Ratify the ILO Convention
169!
This is the most progressive international legal document which can really
help indigenous and tribal peoples of 21st century of independent states.
The Convention can cope with the problem of putting in accordance national
legislation and effective work of the programmes of social-economical
and cultural development of indigenous peoples of Russia. Is Russia really
weaker than Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, which ratified the Convention long
ago?
There are advantages of realization of the Convention in Russia. This
is Article 69 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Then: "empty"
unworking laws won't be issued any more, as the Convention determines
certain beneficiaries of certain rights, cadastre of territories of traditional
nature management, types of use of natural resources and forms of ownership.
And if our laws will not correspond the international standards, then
the State has to report on the violated rights of indigenous peoples.
Next: the ratified Convention gives some extra possibilities to authority
bodies against plunder and unskilful exploitation of natural resources
on huge territories, including the territories of indigenous peoples of
the North, Siberia and Far East of Russia, living in harmony with nature.
Why? Because the central issue of the Convention is the RESPONSIBILITY
of federal authority bodies for saving natural resources as a base of
system of traditional life maintenance and so of existance of ethnical
lifestyle in whole. Moreover, the Convention provides these peoples with
the RIGHTS of the corresponding resources.
And the last argument for the ratification of the Convention. Russia is
a member of International Indigenous Peoples Development Fund as well
as the other countries having ratified it. This means that it will be
possible to use money of the Fund for realization of programmes of development
of indigenous peoples and the territories of their living and economy.
This is a positive point for attracting some additional investments on
priveleged conditions for development uncomfortable North zones of Russia.
So, it is necessary to create a mechanism of active consultations with
representatives of indigenous peoples for soonest ratification of the
Convention. This means the necessity to form, in addition to the state
system of authorities, independent representative structures of indigenous
peoples with corresponding powers. Here we need some preliminary thorough
work on creating special procedures allowing these peoples to participate
in making decisions on all levels in elective and administrative bodies.
Implementation of the Convention regulations will allow the indigenous
peoples, after many years of moral and physical shock, to survive not
only by assimilating, but by protecting the rights to save their own unique
lifestyle, culture and traditions. As one of French lawyers said, "You
can compare rights and liberties with an open window, you needn't go out
of it, but you will breathe easier." The Ratification of the ILO
Convention 169 is like this "window" for indigenous peoples
of the North, Siberia and Far East of Russia.
Vadim Ryazantsev
Student of the Faculty of Law of Krasnoyarsk Agrarian University
Measures of social support
established by the law of Krasnoyarsk Territory
(categories, source and measures of social support)
1. Veteran workers (the category is determined in accordance with
Article 7 of Federal Law "About Veterans").
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Measures of Social Support
of Veterans" from 10.12.2004 #12-2703, "Krasnoyarsky Rabochy"
31.12.2004 #52, "Vedomosty" 10.01.2005 #1 (44)
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Social Support of Population
for Housing and Municipal Services Payment" from 17.12.2004 #13-2804,
"Vedomosty" 28.12.2004 #36 (41)
1) Free service in polyclinics, where the noted persons were registered
during the period of their work, medical service in accordance with regional
programme of state guarantees of free medical service for RF citizens;
2) money compensation in amount of 50% of telephone, radio and collective
television antenna rental fee;
3) free travel by all city transport (except taxi);
4) free travel by suburban public auto transport (except taxi), and if
they don't exist on interurban routes (within the region);
5) 50% payment of cost of railway and water transport of suburban travel
during the seasonal tariffs;
6) free return travel once a year within Krasnoyarsk Territory by public
auto transport (except taxi) on interurban routes (regional, or if they
are absent interregional, interrepublican);
7) subsidies in amount 50% of housing payment within social norm of living
space, established by regional law, and 50% of housing services costs
within the social norm of living space, established by regional law, and/or
standards of housing services consuming, established by local self-government
institutions.
2. Disabled members of veteral worker's
family, living together with him, under his maintenance or receiving from
him help, which is constant and the main source of means of existence
for them.
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Social Support of Population
for Housing and Municipal Services Payment" from 17.12.2004 #13-2804,
"Vedomosty" 28.12.2004, #36 (41)
Subsidies in amount of 50% of housing payment within the social norm of
living space, established by regional law.
3. Veteran workers of the region
(60 year-old men and older with seniority not less than 40 years; 55 year-old
women and older with seniority not less than 35 years).
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Measures of Social Support
of Veterans" from 10.12.2004 #12-2703, "Krasnoyarsky Rabochy"
31.12.2004 #52
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Social Support of Population
for Housing and Municipal Services Payment" from 17.12.2004 #13-2804.
1) 50% of housing payment within the socail norm of living space, established
by regional law (in force since 01.07.05);
2) 50% of housing services cost within the social norm of living space,
established by regional law, and/or standards of housing services consuming,
established by local self-government institutions (in force since 01.07.05);
3) money compensation in amount of 50% of rental fee for radio and telephone.
4. People working and residing in
villages, workers' villages for whom the following institutions are the
main place of work. Managers, psychologists, sociologists, social workers,
pedagogues, doctors, pharmacists, middle medical and pharmaceutical workers
of regional state and municipal public health service institutions, educational
and social service institutions. Managers and specialists of regional
state and municipal institutions of culture and art.
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Social Support of Population
for Housing and Municipal Services Payment" from 17.12.2004 #13-2804.
1) Subsidy in amount of 100% of housing payment within the social norm,
established by regional law;
2) subsidy in amount of 100% of power supply and heating costs, including
purchase and delivery of solid fuel for stove heating, within the social
norm of living space, established by regional law, and/or standards of
housing services consuming, established by local self-government institutions.
5. A consort not remarried, children
under 18, children under 23 studying full-time, children after 18, who
became disabled before 18, of servicemen, rank-of-file and commanding
staff people of internal affairs authorities and state security authorities,
employees of criminal executive system of the Ministry of Justice of the
Russian Federation, perished (died) on duty in armed conflict in the Chechnia
Republic or in counter-terrorist operations on the territory of North-Caucasus
Region since August 1999.
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Social Support of Population
for Housing and Municipal Services Payment" from 17.12.2004 #13-2804.
In addition to the measures of social support, provided by the Federal
Laws "About Veterans", "About Status of Servicemen",
the subsidies are given in the following amounts:
1) 50% of housing payment;
2) 50% of housing services costs within the social norms of living space,
established by the regional law, and/or standards of housing services
consuming, established by local self-government institutions.
6. Parents living alone, couples
of parents living separetly of servicemen, rank-of-file and commanding
staff people of internal affairs authorities and state security authorities,
perished on duty in time of peace, after appointing them two pensions
in accordance with legislation.
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Social Support of Population
for Housing and Municipal Services Payment" from 17.12.2004 #13-2804.
In addition to the measures of social support, provided by the Federal
Laws "About Veterans", the subsidies are given in the following
amounts:
1) 50% of housing payment;
2) 50% of housing services costs within the social norms of living space,
established by the regional law, and/or standards of housing services
consuming, established by local self-government institutions.
7. Parents living alone, couples
of parents living separetly of servicemen perished on service in time
of peace or died of war injury after discharge from service, except the
cases when the death came as the result of their illegal actions, after
appointing them two pensions in accordance with legislation.
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Social Support of Population
for Housing and Municipal Services Payment" from 17.12.2004 #13-2804.
Subsidies are given in the following amounts:
1) 100% of housing payment;
2) 100% of housing services costs within the social norms of living space,
established by the regional law, and/or standards of housing services
consuming, established by local self-government institutions.
8. Citizens whose total income of
the family per man does not exceed five times repeated average amount
per man of living wage of a family, calculated as arithmetical mean of
the sum of living wages of members of the family, basing on their belonging
to a certain social demographic group of corresponding climatical zone.
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Social Support of Population
for Housing and Municipal Services Payment" from 17.12.2004 #13-2804.
Amount of subsidy is specified as difference between amount for housing
and municipal services an applicant due to pay and maximum acceptable
part of personal expenses in the total income of an applicant's family
(a citizen living alone). The noted part is specified in percentage from
the total income of an applicant's family (a citizen living alone) (see
article 15 of Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory from 17.12.2004 #13-2804).
9. One of the parents (adopters,
guardians) in families with income per head not more than the living wage
established in the Krasnoyarsk Territory per head, considering living
in climatical zones.
Law of Krasnoyarsk Territory "About Monthly Children Allowance"
from 10.12.04 #12-2709, "Krasnoyarsky Rabochy" 31.12.2004 #52,
"Vedomosty" #1(44) 10.01.05
Monthly children allowance per a child in amount of 100 Rub. (200 Rub.
for a child of a single mother; 150 Rub. for a child whose parents evade
paying alimony or in other cases established by legislation of RF, when
exacting alimony is impossible, as well as for children of servicemen
on military service.
Information is prepared by Maria Saigotina
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WE ARE TO LIVE AND WORK
IN THE NORTH
"Bird-cherry trees are already snowing
on the head with their blossom,
and it's becoming warmer in the soul, because it exists - a small motherland,
that calls and attracts, the only and unique."
Aleksey Bondarenko
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News of "The Northern
Lights": hopes, meetings, events, facts
1. During NPIR project
implementation, internment on the programme "Human Rights. Indigenous
Peoples' Rights" for the period of 2004, March-April 2005 involved
36 representatives of Evenks, Selkups and Ketos from Turukhansk Region,
where the main part of indigenous peoples of Krasnoyarsk Territory lives.
The most positive point of the project was interaction of public organizations
of indigenous peoples of the region (communities, Association of Indigenous
Peoples of Siberia, "Argish" Centre) with local self-government
institutions of the furtherst northern territory of Krasnoyarsk Territory,
presented by Head of the region Simona Yurchenko and the administration
staff as her team. A number of meetings with the interns of the centre
were oriented on discussing social-economical and cultural development
of the northern people. Spiritual revival, joint protection of rights
of this group of population of Russia - are the main lines of the regional
programme acting more than 5 years. Search and support of indigenous peoples'
initiatives, directed to realization of the principle "unity in diversity",
to cultivating tolerance and development of international contacts, to
establishing local communities through active public contacts, to strengthening
the political system and local self-government - this is not the complete
list of joint activities forms. The main concern is for a family, children,
youth.
CHILDREN - THIS IS OUR
WEALTH
Uneasy time has come. Siberian people have
never been spoilt by wealth of civilization, but moral values have always
been the main for them. Today spiritual culture has made one step back
in front of desire of material wealth: a car and high wages, a flat in
the city... All these thing are needed. To build houses, churches is necessary
to improve living conditions of a simple man, of Russians.
But now it is not the most important thing. Stop and look around: who
will open the door of a rebuilt church? For whom will we leave everything
we have earned and built? Do we have the future? In our senseless race
for welfare we forget of those who need our experience, wisdom and help
- OUR CHILDREN!
Five million homeless children for only
10 years of reforms - this is our future, this is our peaceful and respected
old age. Indifference of adults pushes our children to where they cannot
get out themselves: unemployment, dipsomania, drugs, prostitution... Broken
children's lives, crippled souls - is this our future?
If we, adult and self-sufficient people, do not understand: children -
that's what is important now, then we do not have the future! We should
help them to return from the cruel world of indifference in the warm world
of kindness and joy, love and care - IN THE WORLD OF CHILDHOOD!
Chokurova Vera
2. Ludmila Kaplina - deputy of the Legislative Assembly
from Evenk Autonomous Region, notes that for integration interests of
indigenous peoples, which allow to save their national culture and not
to be dissolved, should be considered. She said: "I myself come from
that epoch. I have always been for the integration of the Krasnoyarsk
Territory, this is in my blood".
I agree with L. Kaplina's opinion in the question of integration of three
regions. But together with her I'm worried for Evenks' destiny, who live
in Evenkia. They are the general nation of the district. And the deputy
is not indifferent what will happen to them. To my mind, the best way
out could be saving Evenk Autonomy of Krasnoyarsk Territory. The deputy
reminds: "...two third of the modern population of the district lived
in the common region some time ago". Our parents remember about it.
We, their children, did not succeed to live in the united region. But
thanks to history and recollection of such people as L. Kaplina, we have
never forgotten about it.
Of course, it was bad that once strong economically, huge geographically
and powerful politically, Krasnoyarsk Territory was mercilessly dissected
by politicians. And what is the result? The curiosity was satisfied and
we started gathering the northern lands back, because it is better. It's
easy to destroy a ready house, but to built it is much harder. Now we
will rebuild the difficult mechanism of ruling Krasnoyarsk Territory together
with Evenkia and Taimyr. But we must remember about consequences for the
cultures of northern people. It's time to stop ignoring interests of indigenous
peoples of the North. And for this purpose, I think, in regional authority
a stable, constantly working body, which will represent interests of deer-breeding
and forest people, will appear at last.
Our common main aim is to restore historical justice and to know everything
about each other. I want the Polar Taimyr knows about our Turukhansk,
a region where even potato grows, and in the south in Vorogovo village
people can grow small water-melons.
(Anna Saigotina)
3. On the meeting with deputies of the region on 29 March 2005
in the regional House of Culture I have noted some main points important
for simple people of the North.
Vsevolod Sevostyanov, Vladimir Semenov and Yury Zakharinsky noted
the importance of carrying out the referendum on integration of the regions.
"Yenisei Province was part of Russia for more than 300 years. Such
formation ... is proved by centuries". Actually, economical benefits,
questions of safety and political power expansion were not on the last
place. Well known Trans-Siberian Main Line was created.
At present the benefit after deviding sovereignties is that a united region
can more easily control activity of the largest financial industrial groups,
settled in Siberia. They have settled substantially in Chukotka, the North
of Russia, and there is some negative effect on the development of these
regions, of the country in whole. Though if Nornickel was not founded
by common efforts in Soviet period, there was nothing but deer. It is
necessary, by coomon efforts again, to develop our Siberia and multiply
wealth of Russia, as M. Lomonosov ordered. Development of Vankor is the
united power of Taimyr and Evenkia. Without each other we cannot decide
such questions.
In time, financial questions of the territories in the united region will
be solved, technical questions will be solved. One painful questions is
left, and it was stated by deputy Sevostyanov as following: "This
is the problem of an ethnic group, of assimilation of cultures. We must
think about it now to prevent risks of possible dissloving of the cultures
of northern tribes. Saving and developing of cultural connections is an
actual question, and the prior task for deputies is to provide and form
the corresponding lagislative base for that."
Lubov Davinduk
4. The pride of the region is the
Winter Spartakiada of schoolchildren of Turukhansk Region. On 30 March
at 10 o'clock on the stadium "Yunost" we took part in the ceremony
of opening the 25th Winter Spartakiada of children and youth of the region.
We watched the solemnity of the action, the visible pride of children
for the mission they are carrying out not for the first year. The sports
winter week is a traditional holiday for the health of all the region.
As the head of Regional Sports Committee said Vladimir Davinduk, the programme
of competitions is very wide. There are running with a stick, skiing races,
axe throwing, jumping over sledge. The holiday will be living for four
days and, as organizers suppose, will be important for everybody: sportsmen
and fans. On the opening of Spartakiada there were guests - deputies of
the region. With the same solemnity the close will be held in the regional
House of Culture on 2 April at 17.30.
In April we will have our holiday as well - the Day of Deer-Breeder in
Sovrechka village. The Head of the Village Authority Antonida Davinduk
has already started to prepare for the holiday, having discussed it at
Coordination Council of the Association and with the head of the region
S. Yurchenko. We will also take part in it. This is our culture.
Maria Saigotina
5. For all the period of study on
the programme our tribesmen from "Oldomon" community have been
coming to the course. The most often guest was its head German Davinduk.
Many times we met with the president of the regional Association, the
former intern of a similar centre in Moscow "Lauravetlan" Oksana
Sinnikova. On one of the meetings on 25 March she told us what she had
achieved for the years after her study at the Centre, about her work at
a public organization, she introduced us federal and regional programmes
of social economical development of our peoples. This year our association
will be 10 years old, and Oksana Leonidovna invited us at the Coordination
CounÓil of the Association, agenda of which includes the issue of preparation
to the jubilee of the organization; some delegates of V Congress of Federal
Association in Moscow in the middle of April will be present. At the Coordination
Council of the Association on 26 March there were really delegates: from
Ketos - chairman assistant of the Village Council Vyacheslav Irikov, from
Evenks - Antonida Davinduk. We spoke about our wish to attract youth to
such interesting activities. In the future foundation of a youth centre
of the Association is planned. You can only win from cooperation.
Ludmila Davinduk
6. On initiative of the interns of the Centre, the project of the
Association "Our Land" - a competition "Descendants, respond!"
started its life in the regional newspaper "Mayak Severa" in
the supplement "The Word of Peoples of the North" from 26 February.
At present the material for the supplement is formed by our intern of
group 3 Ludmila Mayorova. We began recollecting forgotten names of veterans
of the Great Patriotic War from one of its participants Mikhail Dibikov,
keto from Kostino village. The editorial office of the newspaper is still
receiving letters from people who knew that warrior well. The first response
was from 12-year-old Lena Nechayeva from Turukhansk.
Ksenia Nemchina
7. The opinion of Anatoliy Khoroshailov, the chairman of the regional
headquarters of the referendum on 17 April, was important and determinative
for us. Because we did not know Siberia that was united and powerful.
On 1 April A. Khoroshailov came to our meeting and told us, simply and
in details, everything about the life of the region in the united Krasnoyarsk
Territory 10 years ago. He had what to compare now and then: he was running
agro-industry complex of the region. Many figures of that time were very
interesting from the point of view of development of the northern territories
economy.
Anastasia Kusamina
8. At the meeting with the Commissioner on Human Rights in Turukhansk
Region Andrey Bob on 2 April we discussed two questions: problems and
rights of the youth of the region, especially in the field of providing
employment and housing; as well as absence of information in the reports
of the Commissioner on Human Rights in Krasnoyarsk Territory I. Zhmakov
on breach of rights and liberties of indigenous peoples of the region
for 2003-2004. We told about problems of women of our village, from deer-breeders'
families. Absence of wages for deer-breeders we consider violation of
human rights. We would like, by common efforts of the professional school,
local authority, indigenous peoples organizations, to work out a special
Regulation on provision employment at least for those representatives
of indigenous peoples who are doing well at the regional professional
school. Such experience the Regional Administration already has.
Leonid Bikhert
9. Not less interesting for us there was the information about work on
providing communications and even Internet in the region of "North
Teleradiocommunications" Joint-Stock Company, which is headed by
an interesting person, Director General Igor Yurchenko. For cold and inaccessible
Turukhansk Region all the world will be open soon.
Inna Davinduk
Turukhansk Association
of Indigenous Peoples is 10!
According to statistics of 01.01.2005, size of the population in Turukhansk
Region was 1361 people of Ketos, Selkups, Evenks. Statistics of 2003-2004
showed that average length of life in the region is 61, length of life
of indigenous peoples in the region is 39 years. The main causes of deaths
are diseases of respiratory organs, circulation of the blood organs, malignant
tumours. Many cases of death are not connected with diseases. People die
of accidents, poisoning, murders, suicide. A serious factor of early deaths
is strong dipsomania.
From year to year living and social conditions not only of indigenous
peoples are getting worse. Because of absence of money in the villages
of the region for many years schools, hospitals, diesel electrostations,
houses have not been built. Housing fund in the villages, where 90% of
all the indigenous population of the region live, is without water-supply
and canalization. The number of schools, hospitals, clubs and houses in
a break-down condition and needed overhaul is increasing.
In the frames of budget the Administration of the region makes constructive
and repairing works. So, for 5 years:
- schools in Stary Turukhansk and Surgutikha, a kindergarten building
in Vereschagino, houses of culture in Surgutikha and Verhneimbatsk were
built;
- overhauls of schools in Bakhta, Zotino, Bor were made;
- hostel buildings were reconstructed for the professional school in Turukhansk,
for the computer centre in Bor, for the Centre of children's creative
work and the House of Culture;
- diesel electrostation in Farkovo was built;
- 205 apartments with total area 12307 sq.m. were repaired.
In January 2002 in Turukhansk the Professional School 59 was opened. In
the Professional School there study students from 14 to 25 years old from
all the villages of Turukhansk Region, including indigenous peoples. They
get skills within the region: an operator of a tractor, a driver, a welder,
an accountant, a tailor, a hunter, a social worker, a manager of a farm.
The Professional School has a hostel, where students from other villages
of the region live. Students living in the hostel have free meals three
times a day, all the rest have free meal once a day (lunch).
On the territory of the region 27 schools are working, 6 of them are in
the places of dense residing of indigenous peoples of the North. Native
languages are taught in the schools of the following villages: the Selkup
language in Farkovo, the Evenk language in Sovrechka, the Keto language,
mostly optional, 2 hours a week, in Kellog, Vereschagino, Goroshikha,
Surgutikha. It is necessary to add the lessons, study national languages
in senior grades, on optional lessons during summer holidays. Great importance
is attached to native language propaganda, communicating in it in the
family. Big hopes are for summer recreation children's ethnic camps.
In 2002 under the Regional Education Management a language laboratory
started its work. Since 2000 "The Word of People of the North"
has been issued as a supplement to a regional newspaper "Mayak Severa"
(The Beacon of the North).
Almost all the villages of the region have cultural educational institutions:
clubs, libraries. In Kellog in 2000 building of enthical cultural centre
was began, according to regional special-purpose programme "Social
economical development of the territories of living of indigenous peoples
of the North of Krasnoyarsk Territory for 2000-2003", but as there
is no financing the building is stopped now. The building was financed
from regional budget. In Baklanikha and Bakhta clubs are located in old
cold buildings. Libraries and the Village Houses of Culture in Bakhta,
Kellog, Farkovo are in other purposes houses which do not correspond sanitary
standards. So there is an extreem necessity to build a Village House of
Culture and a library in Baklanikha, Bakhta, Kellog, Farkovo, Goroshikha,
Maiduka.
Information is prepared
by A. Kusamina, basing on the results of the meeting
with the president of Regional Association of Indigenous Peoples Oksana
Sinnikova
Let's take care of our
tribesmen
To the president of Association
of Indigenous Peoples of the North
"Nasha Zemlya"
Oksana Leonidovna Sinnikova
from an intern of Regional Ethnic
Informational Legal Centre "Argish"
Anna Vladimirovna Saigotina
APPLICATION
This is to ask you to encourage, in the frames of the programmes of supporting
of indigenous peoples of the North, Vladimir Nikolayevich Saigotin as
the first initiator of family deer-breeders' farms in Sovrechka, Turukhansk
Region. In 2005 his family farm has a jubilee - 10 years. V. Saigotin
started his work on saving deer herd in the region in1995. After the collective-farm
downfalling, he collected deer which were left ownerless in the tundra,
established a brigade for saving the deer. Since 1995 tundra nomads have
their own deer thanks to V. Saigotin's initiative. But he could not manage
alone. Experienced people worked with him: Stanislav Arkadyev, Oleg Davinduk,
Oleg Kurmatov. And members of their families helped them in this noble
task.
These people shared their knowledge and experience, which they had received
from their parents. Their hard work, love to deer helped to save this
farming in the region. Now it has multiplied. People who, together with
V. Saigotin, saved deer-breeding of Evenks of Sovrechka, at present are
the active participants of revived traditional holiday of the village
- the Day of Deer-Breeder.
I ask you to pay attention to these people. The fame of deer-breeders
of all the region is based on them.
1 April, 2005
P.S. Some historical references, statistics
and up-to-date facts to clarify this application. The total balance of
the deer herd - proportion of offspring, slaughter and lost of deer -
is impossible to calculate because there is no regular registering of
deer and traditional secret of information about exact number of deer
among any deer-breeding people: it is not accustomed to speak loudly about
your wealth. In the past there were even battles because of deer, and
now they are afraid of "evil eye". As deer-breeders say, they
succeeded to save deer and total number of deer in the region of Sovrechka
really increased for last years.
According to data of the Turukhansk regional department of State Statistics,
up to 01.01.1995 (the year of the last official registering) it was 357
heads. In the past (1950-1970th) the number of deer in private ownership
of Sovrechka inhabitants ranged between 200-400 heads, but in collective
herd it was gradually decreasing. So, collective farm named after Kuibyshev
in 1962-1963 had 800 deer. In Sovrechka production branch of North-Turukhansk
State Industrial Farm in the year of its foundation (1967) there were
only 664 heads, and by 1973 there were left only 240 heads of deer. Reduction
of the number continued until the deer did not become the private ownership
of deer-breeders. After that the number began growing a little. It is
also connected with the fact that without snowmobiles a deer again became
the main means of transport in winter. Prospects of this growth are limited,
as profitability of this industry is very low and there are very little
possibilities for sale of the meat and other products. On the other hand,
possibilities for growth of number of deer and for deer-breeding of Sovrechka
Evenks to become profitable one can find if he wants. There are enough
resources for pasture, skilled herdsmen. We do not have only a steady
market and social incentives to organize a bigger deer-breeding farm.
Main characteristics of Evenkia deer-breeding are use of pack- and riding
deer, milking, absence of pastoral dogs for deers, making smoking devices
and fences. Deer-breeding of Sovrechka Evenks differs from one of other
groups of Evenks, because of their contacts with Nenets deer-breeding.
In the past around the Sovetsky lakes there were Nenets lands. Connections
with them are still kept.
The system of deer keeping is based on Evenk family traditions with some
borrowings from Nenets people. It includes free pasturage in summer, use
of smoking devices, sheds and fences. Smoking devices are most popular,
they allow to keep a herd of deer of 100-200 heads near a reindeer tent
during all the mosquito period. In the second half of August, when there
are fewer mosquitoes and reindeer try to go from smoking devices to Taiga,
deer-breeders move their herds into special fences. Fences are made connecting
lakes. They limit moving of deer and facilitate guard of a herd.
For warm season most owners gather their deer in herds under herdsmen
watch. In this period deer-breeders fish in open water. When autumn comes
they take their deer from the common herd and keep them separately, as
in winter they are used as transport. This time deer-breeder finds time
for hunting. Women are house-keeping and educating children.
In the past Evenks of Sovrechka hunted in the basin of the Bolshaya Kheta
River. There were lands for hunting on polar fox with special snares,
for which deer transportation was used. Every winter several Evenk families
were wandering there, each of them had 20-50 domestic deer. With deer
polar-fox snares are checked, deer are used to move reindeer tents and
all the family property while migration and for connection with villages.
At present the main part of Sovrechka Evenks' deer comprises about 600
heads. Most of them are kept near the Sovetsky Lakes. Deer graze all the
year, and seasonal movements for changing pasture lands are within 20-30
km. Deer-breeding also has place in the western part of the region near
lakes Momchak and Margel-to, but there are fewer deer, about 100-150 heads.
A. Saigotina
My Motherland - Sovrechka
The word MOTHERLAND is linked with many things for everybody. For me they
are multiple lakes of the Sovetskaya River, infinitely kind tundra, herds
of domestic deer reestablished by great work of my country-men after disorganization
of collective farms, my hardworking father and mother... From early childhood
from generation to generation our Evenks are fishing, hunting and deer-breeding.
Sovrechka is the only village where deer-breeders of Krasnoyarsk Territory
live. But Evenks not engaged in deer-breeding in our Krasnoyarsk Territory
also live in Severo-Yeniseisk Region in Velmo - 20 people of 205 of all
the population, in Severo-Yeniseisk - 3 of 8600, in Yeruda - 3 of 337,
in Suvorovsky - 1 of 82 and in Chirimb - 2 of 3. Total 30 people.
Some time ago Ketos and Selkups also were keeping deer. Today deer are
in the past for them. Our old say, with deer our souls go away.
Today we were at the Museum of Regional History and Nature with our interns.
So much effort and enthusiasm were spent by Tatyana Sergiyenko, the manager
of the Museum, to create it. The memorial to spiritual heritage of Turukhansk
people was made for only a year. In exposition "Mode of Life and
Culture of Northern People" deer-breeding of Ketos is presented as
the past. In 1956 Ketos carefully constructed covered enclosures for their
deer to protect them from rain, snow, wind... Now there is no Keto family
who can boast of having saved a deer or knowledge of deer-breeding. In
Kellog there is one 75-year-old man who was herding deer some time and
remembers how to do it.
Are my people expected by the same destiny? In the memory of older generation
of Sovrechka they keep the time, when they were not afraid for their future.
They all had work, prosperity. People enjoyed life and children and thought
it was forever. Nobody could surmise deer-breeders would not get their
wages for the period of working and would only hope for minimum pension
when he is old... and would drink.
The main problem of my country-men is to save Sovrechka, deer, our rich
culture. It is bad when a man, the people have to be afraid for the future.
I don't think gas and oil of Vankor will be useful for my tundra. Every
event, like this, is followed by disaster for us.
Lubov Davinduk
For the young - to keep
fathers' traditions
Sovrechka is the settlement of Evenks whose population is about 200 people
in the region. Few of them a leading settled life. Deer-breeding is a
traditional occupation of this people, and Sovrechka is the only place
in Turukhansk region where keeping deer is based on the experience received
from fathers. To provide a herd of deer with food, Evenks are constantly
travelling over the forest tundra. Evenks, like deer, are unfastidious
and hardy. From the place of the reindeer tent to the village, where almost
every deer-breeder has a house, they sometimes go for two days.
Deer-breeders can fully provide themselves with clothes and food, hunting,
fishing and deer-breeding. The complex of the big and the small Sovetsky
Lakes, Lake Nemniakit and Lake Dugakit, can be called the jewel of the
North of Turukhansk Region, where salmon-trout, white salmon, whitefish,
sometimes sturgeon, and other kinds of fish are caught. Now the task of
recovery of deer-breeding is solvable in whole. A small solidary group
wishing and able to keep deer can overcome many difficulties. Its main
problem is cadres. The necessity of reconstruction of deer-breeding technology
is fallen to the younger generation's lot who have not yearned to continue
traditional lifestyle. Deer-breeding is considered troubling and not practical
now without the state's support. For its reestablishment and growth of
incentive of the young, attraction of all the possible resources is needed.
Reestablishment of deer-breeding in the region must be considered as socially
important task of local state authorities for the North and northern people.
In 2002 for improving health and growth of number of deer Turukhansk Region
Administration bought a herd of these northern beauties in Evenkia. For
the young the task to save and increase the Evenkia wealth - deer herd
- is left.
Ludmila Davinduk
My People
Evenks are one of the biggest (more than 35 thousand) indigenous peoples
of the North of Russia. In the past these people were called Tungus. In
ethnograph G. Vasilyevich's (1969) opinion, this word first meant "man".
Evenks were also called Orochens, that means "deer's". This
is the only people of the North that settled not only the huge taiga lands,
but went far to the North to forest tundra. The territory of their living
is vast: on the West to the left bank of the Yenisei, on the North - Polar
tundra between the Yenisei and the Lena, on the East - South part of the
Okhotsk coast, on the South - southern boarder of the Evenki Autonomous
Area, Katansk Region of Irkutsk Territory, northern regions of the Buryat
Republic and Chita Territory, Aldan Region of the Sakha Rupublic (Yakutia),
Amur Territory, Kamchatka, Sakhalin Iseland. In China a rather numerous
diaspora of Evenks lives.
My people are called eternal deer-riding nomads. Actually, looking for
better pastures and hunting lands they were constantly wandering. They
are still using tents as dwelling. In winter they wear traditional fur-clothes:
a loose parka, a cap, fur shawl for women, mittens - kokoldy and fur stockings
- bokary. Deer-breeders' wives are housekeeping, cooking for husbands
and children, sewing, etc.
A deer for an Evenk is the main wealth. This is his life. Despite snowmobile
technique appeared on the North, in conditions of absence of roads deer
is the most relieble transport. Owning transport deer influences on hunting
industry of my relatives, first of all, polar fox, sable, hare and squirrel
hunting. With deer people go to a village for food and other goods, bring
children to school, visit each other, carry different heavy things.
Deer-breeders are the main carriers of the culture of their people. These
are deer-breeding Evenks of Sovrechka who effectively keep their language,
national clothes, dwelling and traditions, and their families are distinguished
with firmness. But development of deer-breeding should be maintained not
only by people's enthusiasm, it must be based on firm laws, legal acts
of the state. State control and help are necessary in the specific industry
of the northern people. But they don't have them. Huge profits of the
production are going past the deer-breeders, and social economical status
of deer-breeders and their families is still behind the stable state's
view. This can be approved by the fact of absence of legislation about
deer-breeding and no wish to retify the ILO Convention 169.
M. Saigotina
Does deer-breeding have the future in Krasnoyarsk Territory?
Deer-breeding in Russia also has difficult times in Russian economy of
transitional period. The number of deer reduced two times. But even in
such conditions Russia has two-third of the world number of domestic reindeer.
Thanks to deer-breeding many indigenous peoples save themselves, their
languages and cultural traditions, ability to live and create in severe
climatic conditions. Decline of deer-breeding is followed by poverty of
aboriginal population connected with it.
The main indicator of general state of deer-breeding have always been
the number of deer in private farms. The more private deer, the higher
economical independence, confidence in the future of deer-breeding people.
Unfortunately, this cannot be understood by many officials of agriculture.
Probably, they pretend they don't understand.
Support of deer-breeding of Evenkia, Taimyr and Turukhansk Region in already
united Krasnoyarsk Territory will help to solve many problems of indigenous
peoples engaged in this economy. Especially questions of providing employment
will be solved. Those peoples who have lost their skills in deer-breeding
need help to organize exchange programmes on deer-breeding reestablishment.
In this way deer-breeding in the region will be saved and will become
a stable source of profit for indigenous people.
Keeping deer herds in taiga is difficult because of the natural conditions.
This should be taken into consideration working up and putting into practice
promotion programmes. Here deer-breeding historically developed as a transporting
economy with small amount of animals. In Turukhansk Region deer-breeding
was developed with three peoples: Ketos, Selkups and Evenks. Up to the
present only Evenks have saved it. Traditions of Ketos' and Selkups' deer-breeding
within Turukhansk Region were very much alike - they can be considered
the same type of deer-breeding. Thorough studying of the history of deer-breeding
of Ketos and Selkups can make possible the revival of the unique economy,
but not as the main one.
Historical reference on
deer-breeding of Ketos and Selkups
Ketos began deer-breeding late. At present
this Yenisei people, who have saved their culture in comparison with many
disappeared peoples (Assans, Pumpokoltses, Yugs, etc.), often hear the
reproach: why have not they saved and are not engaged in deer-breeding?
We feel necessary to give a historical reference on it. We don't want
to offend another not deer-breeding people - Selkups.
All these are taiga peoples, and before
Russians came most of them had not had deer. Afterwards deer-breeding
was developed by Ketos, who lived along the left plain bank of Yenisei
(along the Dubches, the Yeloguy, the Surgutikha, the Pakulikha) and in
the basin of the Kureika. Only Podkamennotungus Ketos did not keep deer.
Deer were used for transport purposes exclusively
and helped travelling during hunting, main object of which was a squirrel.
As a rule, they were harnessed into sledges. Usually families owned not
more than 10-20 deer, which were hardly enough for wandering in winter
trade. Herds of 60 heads were exceptions. Before collectivisation the
biggest herd of 250 heads was owned by Kureika Ketos the Serkovs, in this
herd animals of four brothers were united [Alekseyenko, 1967].
Ketos did not have any arranged system of keeping deer. Here is the characteristics
of Keto deer-breeding given in "Sovetsky Sever" (the Soviet
North) magazine in 1934 [In Turukhansk Region..., 1934]: "For deer-breeding
there is no arranged use of reindeer moss. In summer deer are set free
and feed not far from sheds (where they stand they make smoking devices
and so on). Deer often go away for several tens of kilometres, then return,
come into other herds, etc. With the first snow aborigines gather in groups
and walk in the forest looking for their deer..."
As Alekseyenko noted [1967], Ketos' practice
of summer free pasture led to big loss. 90% of year loss was in summer
period. As by the moment of calving deer were usually free, mortality
of newborn calves was very high. To save offspring some families detained
the herd near the camp till the end of calving and then kept newborn calves
and their mothers tethered. But such actions were exceptions, usually
Ketos knew about loss in their herd only in autumn, when they gathered
deer for hunting.
During inspection of hunting-trade economy
of Turukhansk Region in1973-1976 [Klokov, 1978] some groups of Ketos were
still using deer teams for hunting (see map). On the North of the region
Ketos from Serkovo village and from the Manduiskoye Lake were hunting
with deer in the basin of the Kureika river and its tributary the Degen
river. Some small amount of transport deer was kept by Ketos from Baklanikha
and Surgutikha villages in the basin of the Pakulikha river. Yelogui Ketos
had two small herds of deer - one near Kellog, the other - on the Dynda
Lake. It is significant that on the left bank of the Yenisei some Selkup's
families living there participated in Keto's deer-breeding. By the present
Keto's deer-breeding disappeared completely, but the questions of its
reestablishment are being discussed.
Deer-breeding of Baikha Selkups, who lived
on the territory of Turukhansk Region, was almost the same. Like Ketos,
Selkups let their deer walk free in taiga in summer, and in winter they
used them as transport for hunting. There were not many deer. By P. Ostrovskikh
[1931], in 1920-1930 few people had 10-12 deer, usually they kept 2-3.
In 1970-s transport deer were still regularly used by Selkups for winter
squirrel and polar fox hunting in the basin of the Verkhnaya Baikha and
wild deer hunting north of Turukhansk Region (see map). On the rest of
the territory hunters dispenced with them.
Public herd of Selkup deer belonged to North-Turukhansk
State Industrial Farm. In 1973 it consisted of 113 grown-up animals. In
winter riding deer for some small fee were given for rent to the hunters
on the staff of the farm, usually 4-6 heads per each hunter. Young deer
were left in the herd under a herdsman's supervision. The herd was kept
in the region of the Ladyga village, located on the bank of the river
with the same name, the Verkhnaya Baikha tributary. The structure of the
herd had a vivid transport orientation - 33% of neuter bucks.
In the same herd private deer were kept, 189 heads. 135 of them were used
for riding. Owners of these deer were 14 Selkup families. Five families
had up to 5 heads of deer, seven - from 6 to 15 heads. Two Seplkups from
Ladyga had: one - 40, the other - 46 deer. The herd existed till the mid
1980-es. At present Selkups deer-breeding has been saved only outside
Turukhansk Region in the basin of the Taz River.
Material is prepared by
Vyacheslav Krasnopeyev
How to reduce to number
of candidates for beggars?
I was born in a village and I know the life of my fellow-countrymen -
Selkups. In the past these were people who lived a nomadic life hunting
furs and fishing. They had natural exchange -hunting and fishing products
for food and other things: nets, cloth, dishes, etc. After the war collective
farms began developing, villages were built. Few people lived in Farkovo,
most of the people lived on trading stations. For the children, whose
parents lived a nomadic life, a boarding-school was built for elementary
education. Some could even get higher education. Natasha Kayanovish works
now at the Committee of Nationalities Affairs in the Krasnoyarsk Territory
Administration. The School Director in Farkovo - Dmitry Yarkov, Director
Assistant of the school - Natalia Bikhert... Mikhail Tamelkin, in the
past one of the members of the party staff, now the head of the trade
station of the Tamelkins'. But these are individuals. And this is left
in the past.
Agriculture developed on the North. It gave working places for many people.
They bred cattle, built a farm for growing foxes and polar foxes. Wages
of hunters-fishermen were not high but stable. In the last years of the
Soviet period profession of hunter became the most prestigious and highly-paid.
Among our hunters people with the title of "Guardsman of Fur Hunt"
appeared.
Years of reforms destroyed lifestyle built by our parents for years. Hunters
and fishermen became poor because of the low level of sale of the products.
Reforms influenced the wages of my tribesmen, that resulted in the low
level of life. This is one of the sore problems of people of the Far North.
Many people began drinking because of hopelessness and left their bitter
life early. Recently I talked to a hunter Ivan Kusamin. I want to know
how a "forest" man lives. Before studying in the Centre I was
afraid to touch this subject. I wondered how he had lived for the last
years, where he was selling fish, fur, meat, what were the conditions
he was working in.
"What to speak about? Nobody buys fish. When buys - for nothing.
They say it is expensive to carry it out by helicopter. To bring furs
to the regional centre by yourself is approximately 5000 rubles pur a
man for a week". "You have subsidies, you receive pensions 1500
rubles, children allowance, don't you?" "This is all spent for
food. They raise pension, but food becomes more expensive earlier."
"But you get fur, fish, meat. Profit must be especially from the
fur." "Let's count: for a sable you will receive on an average
1000 rubles, deer meat 70 rubles per kilo, without speaking about fish.
When necessary things, technics reach us, their price grows several times.
For example, an engine costs 30 thousand, 1 cartridge - 10 rubles, 1 litre
of petrol - 15-20 rubles. Plus nets, ropes, etc. Everything has to be
bought. Children are growing. We want to give them education, so that
they could write and count at least. They need to be dressed, sometimes
presents. They like parents' attention and endearment. To buy a television,
a cupboard, a stove, another thing for the house, it also needs big expenses.
We sometimes leave for the village: want comfortable living. You can also
be tired of the forest. Most of "forest people" do not have
medicines. If somebody has, he does not know how to take them. If only
it was taught in the professional school in Turukhansk! We do not go further
than our village. What health resorts can be spoken about! We care not
of welfare but of survival. We don't know anything of social benefits.
Only our Association tells us and do something for our aborigines."
"But how can you live or, more precisely, survive in these conditions?
This is North, moreover taiga, with no conditions for living?" "Selkups
are not considered as men any more. Now we are included in the category
of indigent, being in hard life circumstances. Look at the lists in the
Association, only aboriginals ask for financial support. Some for transportation
from the hospital, some for clothes, some for bread. This is the way we
are living. And no wish to think about living environment protection and
saving our souls. Poverty doesn't make anybody a noble man." This
is what a "forest man" thinks - a Selkup in Farkovo taiga.
Leonid Bikhert
Difficulties and problems
of a "worthy living level" of men
I want to be sure, the strategy of human rights and liberties protection
in 21 century will be oriented in Russia on the most important value -
rights of a simple man, because a new international public order can be
built on their observation only. And I'm glad that one day I could see
some progress in this field in our country. Not big, but we have it. Some
time ago foreigners were not let on the north or in a "hot"
place of the country - Chechnia. Today it is reality.
However, you don't feel happy when you realize that you, probably, will
not see the improvements for all your life. And you console yourself with
the thought, that maybe your children will see and live a better life.
If we, their parents, make efforts for that. To do it we need to communicate
with the world, where a lot of intelligent people live. In our region
it is not easy: no local television and regional news over it, very poor
newspaper, not everything is OK with the new technologies: Internet, e-mail,
cellular telephone... Problems even with the usual telephone. So a man
is enclosed in the circle of his family and 1-2 reliable friends. Many
people work for two rates for years, but cannot afford to travel for a
holiday, to see "the main land", to buy a simple TV, nothing
to say about a computer for children.
Recently I have read in one of central newspapers about issue of forecast
of social economical development of Russia for the period to 2007. According
to it, the Minister of Economical Development intends to reduce the number
of the poor to 10.5-12.5% by that time. But, probably, my friends and
tribesmen will not be touched by these plans, as their total profit of
work for two rates does not exceed the living wage. And from the point
of view of science, poverty is impossibility to keep a certain middle
living level in a certain society.
I think, if a man for several years cannot afford to buy a washing machine
necessary for his family, some simple furniture, he is poor. So you can
get only approximate idea of living level of a man of Russia. Because
the profit itself is very difficult to check in present conditions. Then
it is difficult to take into consideration regional specifics. If Moscow
citizens' average salary is 8000 rubles a month, citizens of Kellog, Farkovo
on the Far North - 3 or 5 thousand, if they are lucky.
The law on the living wage was accepted in 1997. The main part of it is
spent for food, so it does not take into account growth of living costs,
growth of prices for travel, medicines and housing services. Total in
Russia they counted 23% of the real poor.
There is a traditional set of property, which 80% of Russian people have
even in the villages: a television set, a fridge, a vacuum cleaner, a
carpet, usual furniture. If somebody is deprived of it, he is poor. He
does not have what the majority consider the most necessary. If somebody
could not use paid medical survice at least once for three years, some
kind of paid education, did not travel for holiday - this is one more
sign of his deprivation. When, despite his profit, a man acquires this
set, he can be called poor. The following figures were published: 5.4%
of Russians have either black-and-white TV set or none; 1.3% have no fridge;
6.7% have no carpet and 17% have no washing machine, vacuum cleaner or
a simple set of furniture... And we wonder, why a man is losing interest
to life, drinking, no wish to become a citizen.
I hurry to calm the readers of the bulletin. Conditions of the population
of our Krasnoyarsk Territory are not so bad as in other regions. This
makes me a bit optimistic. Compare in the table, prepared by the Board
of Teleradiobroadcasting, Press and Information of the Administration
of Krasnoyarsk Territory in March of this year, average salary per month
in Krasnoyarsk Territory and other regions for January-November 2004.
|
Salary in a region
|
Including
|
Health care, physical
culture and sport, social provision, Rub.
|
Education, Rub.
|
Culture and art,
Rub.
|
Krasnoyarsk Territory |
8384.1
|
5560.0
|
5020.0
|
4227.1
|
Altai Republic |
4610.0
|
4257.0
|
3730.0
|
3006.0
|
Buryatia Republic |
6035.0
|
4493.0
|
3826.0
|
3331.0
|
Tuva Republic |
5371.0
|
5209.0
|
4303.0
|
3166.0
|
Khakasia Republic |
6172.0
|
5468.0
|
3890.0
|
3345.0
|
Altai Territory |
3884.0
|
3765.0
|
3236.0
|
2576.0
|
Irkutsk District |
7204.0
|
5039.0
|
4605.0
|
3754.0
|
Kemerovo District |
6583.0
|
4402.0
|
4159.0
|
3704.0
|
Novosibirsk District |
5796.0
|
4603.0
|
4332.0
|
3928.0
|
Omsk District |
5390.0
|
4043.0
|
3491.0
|
3185.0
|
Tomsk District |
7877.0
|
4922.0
|
5169.0
|
4392.0
|
Chita District |
6458.0
|
4492.0
|
3976.0
|
3387.0
|
I don't want to give details for Turukhansk
Region as a territory of Far North. It is far not like Altai, though the
Altai Republic is also Siberia.
Sincerely, Vyacheslav Krasnopeyev
|