Организация коренных народов для коренных народов Российской Федерации
     Специальный консультативный статус при Экономическом и Социальном совете ООН
     Ассоциированный статус при Департаменте общественной информации Секретариата ООН
   Навигация
· Новости
· Об организации
· Стажеры
· Бюллетени
· Народы
· Статьи о коренных
народах
· Законодательство
· Конкурсы и гранты
· Ссылки
· Контакты

   Поиск




Law and Indigenous Peoples

Use Federal Laws, While Still They Are Available! 1 part. Introductory. My name is Ryazantzev Vadim. I represent one of the oldest Keto clan - "bal'na den" (people originated from the tree). I do not want to be "a person who does not remember his ancestors' tree", I reinforce my ancestors' tree. I have found till my fifth generation of ancestry. They all lived in a village of Kellog of the Turukhansk raion (district). Great help is done by my grandmother and mother. I am sure it is needed to learn history and leave to our children some information about our people. It is very possible that in 50 years there will be no native speakers left of the Keto language, culture, if this political social and economic situation will stay the same as today. Population of the Keto and other indigenous small-numbered peoples will stay thank to people of the mixed marriage. That the Keto is the least small-numbered people of the North of Russia it is well-known. Totally at the Russian territory they make 1200 people. This number was approved by the scientist-ethnographer who studies ethno socio processes in Siberia, V.P. Krivonogov in his new book "Keto: ten years later (1991-2001)". He is one of the founders of the Ethno-Information Law Center "Argish", which opened its doors at the 1st March 2004. His materials we will publish in bulletins of interns of the center.
It is good that such ethnic information-law center has appeared, through which we will be able to communicate with the world. I am an intern of the first group. Four of six interns are the Keto. Center is open for all representatives of indigenous people of the region, who want to learn human rights, to acknowledge the international and national legislation norms. Special attention of the director of the center Novik Nadejda is paid to candidates from places of native settlements. Our center activity is dedicated to Decade of indigenous people.

2 part. Main text. I am 21, a part day student of juristic faculty of the agricultural university of Krasnoyarsk. I will by a lawyer by principle and specialize in "Land rights". It is the most painful and important question for my people, but they have no jurists. To become a professional and protect rights of indigenous people it is absolutely needed. If state was really interested in preservation of small-numbered northern people, it would start preparing jurist, economist and environmentalist personnel, knowing that we can not cope with new economic market conditions.

To be jurist on rights of indigenous people is not the most prestigious profession in our region: it is already forgotten about existence of indigenous people and 1500 people lead misery existence. They also try not to remember that deposits and lands of our traditional lands are full of resources from fish to oil. What do indigenous people have? Nor agreement, contracts neither territories of traditional land use as it is and, of course, no possibilities for cultural, social and economic development of so small-numbered, so cared and unable-for-self-governing indigenous people.

Available positive experience of the other regions of Russia, other northern countries is not an authority for our region. But it does exist! That very Hanty-Mansiysk autonomous district. They have achieved a legislation of conservation of folklore of its indigenous people. Other questions are solved. Canadians propose their territories as experimental model for institutional construction of indigenous people. All these achievements, of course, belong to authorities of the region also, and indigenous people. They practically implement a principle "Partnership in action!"

We with hard work "give a birth" to a law "Basis right guarantees of indigenous small-numbered people of the North of the Krasnoyarsk region" dated 01.02.2003 #1215. It puts basis of right guarantees for mentioned peoples, but does not consider financing for its implementation. A rich donor-region has no mechanism for implementation of a single law about indigenous people, no means! At least we have what we have as a summary in a period of Decade of indigenous people of the world!

There was a regional programme but for three years (2000-2003), it hardly worked for 1,5 years without full financing. It was closed in October of 2003. Whether it will function on it is not clear yet. To this question even the president of Association of indigenous small-numbered peoples of the region, Ekaterina A. Senkevich could not answer at the meeting with our interns in October 1, 2004. But her initiatives, active work of colleagues from the indigenous peoples are urgently needed for implementation of federal legislation on rights of indigenous people on our territories!

Regional legislation keeps silence about sphere of land use and environment protection, where problems of indigenous people, guards of nature could possibly be solved in assistance with federal laws. From 12 laws of the region none is solving problems of the northern people from the point of view of right regulations of use and protection lands and other natural resources, preservation of traditional branches of economy. This passivity could be also put as a summary of Decade in Russia? Who needs this poor northern people?

Without being well implemented in regions federal laws "On guarantees f rights of indigenous small-numbered peoples of the Russian Federation", "On basic principles of organization of communities of indigenous small-numbered peoples of The North, Siberia and Far East of the Russian Federation ", "On territories of traditional land use of indigenous small-numbered peoples of The North, Siberia and Far East of the Russian Federation " they are revised by the Government. Incoherence of situation of three federal laws influence badly indigenous people which has no their own administrative territories, including my people - the Keto. Since these laws has not been changed for the worse after being considered by the State Duma (Parliament), I can only advise to use to the full force these acting laws on establishing communities, creation of territories of traditional land use and by all means to provide our representation in decision making process, as far it takes interests of indigenous people! It is real to do with the whole world!

3 part. Epilogue. We do support an initiative of indigenous small-numbered people NGOs with appeal to the President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin not to lower level of given rights while revising and making changes of federal legislation and but to keep the main principles of laws and make federal legislation more perfect referring and according to the Constitution of the RF and international principles, norms in rights of indigenous people of our country. Otherwise our peoples can not survive. We, especially indigenous small-numbered people of the world, have to pay more attention to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. You may start from contacts with our centers, like ours - regional ethno information law center "Argish". Believe: we do need your help, dear experts of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and other international organizations!
Vadim Ryazantzev,
Keto
Intern of group#1
Krasnoyarsk Regional Indigenous
Information Center "Argish"
Bulletin #1
March 2004

About necessity of adoption of special and concrete measures for 1500 people - representatives of indigenous small numbered people of the Krasnoyarsk region 1. To question about sustainable development and traditional land use of the Turukhansk North because interns of the first group has come namely from there.
Turukhansk district - area of extreme North, which occupies exclusive position in administrative-territorial system of the Krasnoyarsk krai: this is its most northern district. District center, village of Turukhansk is located from Krasnoyarsk in distance of 1100 км and 1440 км along river of Enisei. 28 its settlements in average are in distance of 400 км from Turukhansk and 7 of them are located on the inflows of Enisei.
General length of water and land roads to settlements makes 1860 км, along side small rivers - 1060 км. Main rivers are inflows of Enisei: Podkamennaya Tunguska, Elogui, Nizhnaya Tunguska, Turuhan, Kureika. Duration of navigation along Enisei on the district territory is about 4 months, along inflows - from 7 to 20 days because of sand banks. There are no railway or motor roads. Sveltogorsk, a village of town type and administratively subordinated to it Igarka village are located in the area of the district.
Total area of the district is 214 thousand square км. Not big population (about 13 thousand people) without Svetlogorsk determinates low density of population on 1 sq. km. - 0,057man. For 28 settlements this makes an urgent problem for transport accessibility to provide even minimal conditions of vital activities of the district population. Transportation is fulfilled by small aviation (helicopters available for 9 to 12 months) and water transportation (4 months per year). Travel from village of Kellog to district center Turukhansk makes 1500 rubles, from Turukhansk to Krasnoyarsk - 3000 rubles. Total amount for two way travel makes up 9000 rubles. Average local salary is 3000 rubles.
In 15 from 28 settlements representatives of indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North: the Ketos (816), the Selkoops (369) and the Evenkis (188), totally 1373 people, live (11.08% from the district population). The Evenkis inhabit the most discomfort zone of northern part of the district, the Ketos and the Selkoops live in extremely discomfort zone of middle and southern parts of the district (border in latitude 64 North). These are their natural habitat.
Developing of the district started at the beginning of XVII century because of its richest biological resources, due to that many-centuries history and culture of aborigine people of the district has been built. Today they have returned to their natural economies: fishery, fur-trade, berry gathering and deer-raising, which has been preserved after 75-year Soviet period by the Evenki people only.
These are numbers which can tell about state of health of the indigenous of the location. Average lifetime makes 61 ages; aborigines' life expectancy is - 39 years, whose only 6,3% representatives live till pension time. Main reason is very low social level of life and alcohol dependence, which causes great number of accidents and suicides. Diseases of respiration organs, blood circulation and malignant neoplasm have increased recently.
Capable to work aborigines make 51%, which only 13% are officially registered as unemployed. But factually the unemployed are 3-4 times more, as majority of people of remote settlements being jobless have never been registered officially as unemployed.
Lyubov Baldina
Krasnoyarsk Regional Indigenous
Information Center "Argish"
Bulletin #1


2. Article "Indigenous Issue", Moscow News, Krasnoyarsk region №43 dated 4-10.11.2003
Aborigines of the Krasnoyarsk North may gain right of property to lands where they hunt, fish and breed deer. In spite of that Gosduma (Russian Parliament) does not want to give fast areas to the indigenous communities of the Russian North, Zaksobranie (Regional Legislative Council) of the Krasnoyarsk krai intends to assign territories of traditional landuse to tribal communities.
Commission on the North and indigenous small-numbered people has introduced for the first reading a draft law "On lands of traditional landuse of the indigenous small-numbered people of the North of the Krasnoyarsk krai". If it is passed, authorities will recommend bodies of self-governance to define order of establishing borders of such territories.
At the same time representatives of aborigines proposed to insert amendment: "Industrial development of territories belonging to the indigenous people, possible from their agreement" to another law "On basis of right guarantees of the indigenous small-numbered people of the North of the Krasnoyarsk krai". However last summer deputies rejected it.
In reality such questions are solved without background glance at imperfect legislation. It is not necessary for and in favor of industry which is conquering the North. For instance, recently American oil industry workers have left the Enisei region. On the Sym River the American flag was raised already 10 years ago. Founded in Texas, Symskaya Exploration, Inc. obtained a license for 25 years, but here the American pathfinders came across the same civilized problems as their forefathers' while conquering prairies. Not standing this, in May the Americans dismissed this license.
At the same time the indigenous residents of Sym village (few tens of them) opposed a proposal of the region administration on establishing a Nature Parks with area of 2.5 million hectors. Opinion of the Evenki and the Keto traditionally making a living in these lands was supported by regional deputies promising to bring this case till Genprokuratura (Office of Public Procurator) if aborigines will be oppressed.
Legal courtliness of regional parliaments may lead to the fact that e.g. rights of the Evenkis in the Krasnoyarsk region will differ greatly from rights of the Evenkis in the Evenkiyskiy autonomous okrug (district). There, according to officials of the Association of the indigenous small-numbered people of the North, Siberia and Far East, the notion "a subject of traditional landuse" is interpreted so loosely that for different juridical organizations opportunities appear to obtain lands as property where aborigines have lived and hunted for many centuries. According to words of Genadiy Druzhinin, a deputy of Gosduma from Evenkia, officials may refuse even indigenous communities to give a license for hunting.

Comments of "Argish" center interns on the article

Firstly, we have never seen such a draft law.
Secondly, even in period of Decade of the Indigenous People of the World, declared by the UN in December of 1994, Russia still remains an only Arctic country which has not regulated its legislation in sphere of nature, land use and environment protection with the indigenous small-numbered people and old residents of the North.
Modern policy of bodies of state power regarding the indigenous people of the North still defined by directions of the Soviet times when all kinds and forms of their activities were considered as "archaic remains" and practicing such activities collectives - as the most backward and conservative groups of population of the country.
Much time is needed (especially very small numbered people have no time whose unique culture is on edge of disappearance), to convince society that a way of life of our ancestors is a special kind of human activity, which
- actively contributes to conservation of integrity of ecosystems and sustains level of biodiversity of the Earth and even in view of this it is a necessary component of process for sustainable development in any country;
- represents by itself a basis for national cultures of all peoples and cultural diversity of the planet;
- is a form and condition for existence of mentality and spiritual life of each people, in its serious extent defines depth and diversity of spiritual search of all mankind.

Smirnova Vera
Baldina Irina
Ryazatzev Vadim
Interns of group#1,
Krasnoyarsk Regional Indigenous
Information Center "Argish"
Bulletin #1

We are children of one Siberian land! Points of contact: meetings, impressions, proposals.
At May 18, 2004, finally we met E.A.Sin'kevich, the president of Association ISNP of the Krasnoyarsk region on the inquiry letter of the interns of the group 1 of the IIC "Argish" dated 26.03.2004. Interns received neither concrete answers about activity of the Association for 4 years nor constructive proposals on cooperation for one year too.
Note: getting acquainted with the authority of the region, adjusting a mutual dialogue depends on what information we, indigenous peoples, have about the present and future plans of social, economic, cultural, ecological development of indigenous people. We can propose something substantial when we will be sure that we know everything about ourselves or almost everything. To know Ekaterina Sin'kevich's opinion, the leader of indigenous people of two regions - the president of Interregional Association of indigenous small numbered peoples of the North of the Krasnoyarsk region and Evenkya is important for us: the president of Association represents not only indigenous peoples of this territory, but also of Evenkya.
At the same day, May 18, our interns acquainted with Olga Aleksandrovna Suvorova, the head of the Krasnoyarsk regional public organization "Agency of Public Initiatives" (API). The meeting with her was held very originally: the interns participated in grandiose actions with participation API - the second meeting of volunteers of the Krasnoyarsk region. The master - classes united adherents of various social activities, volunteers shared experience, projects held with participation of social groups of the population of the region: patients with AIDS, drug-addicts, invalids, children - orphans and etc.
It was important for the interns to fix received knowledge at IIC "Argish" internship on organization of voluntary activities. Fortunately there was a master-class of O. Suvorova about "Organization of mass actions and undertakings" (information for interested persons). It was interesting to know, for example, how to try to change step by step the world for the better, how to study to solve a problem of violence in family and beyond of it, to raise funds professionally and to estimate needs of a organization, to keep in its daily activities to the main value - its mission, how to build social partnership, how to submit the information in press releases and etc.
API was created in 1998. Sphere of its activity:
- Charity;
- Development of professional activity;
- Social partnership;
- International cooperation.
Six regional fairs of the noncommercial organizations (NCO), five charitable seasons, competitions "Sponsor of year", "Public organization of the year", "Social journalism" were hold The agency conducts consultations with NCOs on terms of grant supports, interaction with business and mass media. A monthly bulletin "We together" is issued. Six manual books of NCO-participants of the Fairs, brochures: "Guidebook to the charitable season - 2000", "From sources" are published. The agency cooperates with more than 150 NCOs of the regions of Siberia and Russia. It participates in the network program of the Inter-regional public fund "Siberian centre for support of public initiatives". It operates within frameworks of the program "Protection of rights and interests of children".
Dear counterparts, please consider, the IIC "Argish" and other noncommercial organizations of indigenous people of the region have a lot in common in all directions of activities of the Agency, there is opportunity for cooperation. The centre of social development of the Agency renders the following services:
"Individual and group consultations on filling of applications for grants, the newest grant programs, financial management, organizational development, registration of the organizations.
"Training workshops on filling of applications for the grant, fundraising, rendering paid services and gathering of individual donations, public relations and etc.
"Services of the Agency library. There are more than 400 issues on such directions, as work with the youth, literature on legislation, accounting, fundraising, voluntary activity, charity and etc in the library.
Exports of the Agency passed serious professional training, took part in the international trainings, including foreign. API address: 660049 Krasnoyarsk, K. Marx Str. 93, office # 409 and 410 "а"; tel. +7 (391-2 ) 27-89-85, 27-84-65; fax:+7(391-2) 27-84-65. Management of the NPIR project will cooperate with the given public organization which has a positive reputation in a society.
At May 20, we had a meeting with Hristina Evdokimovna Popova. She informed us about life of our counterparts in the Evenki autonomous okrug. She shared her pleasure: for the first time in a history of the district in Tura at the XII session of the Legislative Assembly (Suglan) of the district at December 19, 2003 a proficit budget was accepted. H.E.Popova gave us the newspaper "Evenki life" where she published her article "Sensational Suglan". Article paragraphs titles speak for themselves: "Five billions more", "Care of indigenous northerners", "Guarantees and rights of the Evenki citizens", "According to merits, awards are". We are glad for our neighbors! H.E.Popova feels a special pride when she tells about a summer recreational camp "Ilmaktal" on the Tychyny River (the project author - A.O.Kuzenko).
At May 21 the IIC "Argish" director N.V. Novik and information manager V.Ryazantsev had a working meeting with the head of the Committee on affairs of nationalities, public units and religions Mark Gennad'evich Denisov. Questions of cooperation under the programs of indigenous people of the region together with the Association ISNP of the region were discussed as the president Sin'kevich E.A. works in this committee. M.G.Denisov was the first person to have the bulletin of group 1 of the IIC "Argish".
At May 26 a meeting with the head of the Turuhansky district, Simona Grigorievna Yurchenko was held. We discussed a proposal of the interns of the centre about celebrating "Day of the intern" and realization of the exchange program within the framework of the Decade of indigenous people of the world "Indigenous people: Turuhansky district - Evenkya - Taimyr". Within the project of the program there is an opportunity for children from reindeer-breeding families of the Sovietskaya Rechka village to participate in a summer camp on the Tychyny River of the Bajkitsky district, Evenkya within the framework of the project "Children's ethnic and cultural settlement "Ilmaktal".
Head of the district was interested long with the idea of exchange of operational experience of summer national camps. And therefore the objectives and tasks of the summer camp "Ilmaktal" are close and understandable for her: living in natural environments with elements of traditional way of life of indigenous peoples of the North, bringing back and development of ethnic consciousness of children of indigenous small numbered people of the North in open modern communicative space, acquaintance of children with their native culture, with fine samples of traditional culture, cultural heritage of the Tunguska-Manchurian people and indigenous people living in territory of the EAO; development of communicative abilities of representatives of different cultures, help to children to use their own culture to learn other cultures and for individual enrichment, improvement of children by traditional ways of healing, herbal medicines treatment, acupuncture and etc.
At May 28 the interns met Kuleshova Nina Alekseevna, the assistant to the EАО Governor, B.N. Zolotarev. She was proud of the social economic program of indigenous people of Evenkya and its state support.
From May 29 till June 4 - a raw of working meetings with the project leaders Gulvaira Shermatova and Chagat Almashev and a representative of the donor organization "Diakonische Westfallen" Mr. Bernd Schuetze from Germany was held.
At June 03 at the office of "Argish" (represented by the administration of the Turuhansky district) "Day of the intern" was conducted with participation of the head of the district S.G. Yurchenko, coordinators and donors of the NPIR project, an expert in issues of indigenous people of the Committee in affairs of nationalities, public units and the religious organizations of the region administration Kajanovich Natalia Vladimirovna, and, of course, the interns of groups 1 and 2 of the IIC "Argish".
In an atmosphere of mutual understanding social, economic and cultural problems of indigenous people who compactly live in the Turuhansky district territory- the Keto, Evenki and Selkoop were discussed. At that day the interns spoke frankly and long about everything what caused worry. They expressed gratitude to the centre for the given opportunity to obtain the first legal knowledge.
"Opening IIC "Argish" in Krasnoyarsk became one of the major and natural achievements of cooperation of indigenous people and institutions of local government; this action is really dedicated to the result of the Decade of indigenous people of the world declared by the United Nations which comes to an end this year, but there is enough joint interesting actions ahead of us", - the district head S.G.Yurchenko said.
Guests from Germany, Altaisky krai and Altai Republic were presented with the book about the Turuhansky district of the first unique contents and illustration and still smelling with fresh typographical paint. All together we studied long its colorful photos. In conclusion the certificates on termination of the internship and the bulletins of the group 1 were given to the interns of the IIC "Argish".

L.Tyganova, L. Kuskov, A.Dibikova, A.Tyganov, A.Ryazantsev.

Basic laws of legal guarantees for indigenous people As the Russian Federation Constitution is "the law of direct action" (see article 18), the indigenous people can achieve realization of the rights through courts according to article 69, that guarantees them these rights. Article 71 item "c" renders "regulation and protection of the rights of national minorities" to the federation competence. Article 72 item "b" assigns in com-mon to federation and its subjects (in our case the Krasnoyarsk region) the duty "to protect the rights of national minorities", and item "m" - "to protect the native habitat and the traditional ways of life of small numbered indigenous communities". At the bottom of these definitions is the solution of the main problem of the indigenous people - poverty elimination, at times outra-geous poverty in these layers of the population of the Russian North. Confirmations of their pov-erty and humiliating situation are numerous long-term scientific researches of ethnic and social processes in Siberia. We in articles of the bulletins will acquaint the reader with some of their materials.
On the basis of the article 69 the Federal law "On guarantees of the rights of the indige-nous people" that was accepted in 1999. It provides some privileges in employment, landowner-ship, natural resources use, taxation, participation in local self-management bodies for the people which are indigenous and which lead traditional economical activity. This frame law and the two following (about communities and territories of traditional land use) entitle regions to undertake additional protective measures in relation to indigenous people. The legislation of some ad-vanced in this perspective regions of Russia (Tyumen territory, Khabarovsk territory, Yakutia - Saha, Buryatiya) recognizes the SPECIAL rights of the natives concerning the use of land and natural resources, thus solving problems of poverty among the indigenous population.
How do the local authorities solve the problem? The Krasnoyarsk territory law № 7-1215 "Bases of legal guarantees of the indigenous people of North of Krasnoyarsk territory" accepted on 01.02.2003 establishes the bases of legal guarantees to their original socio economic and cul-tural development, protection of original habitat, traditional ways of life and economical activity. The action of the Law is distributed upon the indigenous people, constantly living in places of traditional settling and economical activity, conducting the traditional way of life, carrying out traditional managing and engaged in traditional crafts, and also in other areas of the territory, and also upon the people that belong to old resident population, constantly living in places of tradi-tional settlements and economical activity.
The law contains directions of state support for the indigenous people in the sphere of their socio economic, cultural development, in the field of bases of local self-management or-ganization, system of representation and protection of the indigenous people rights. Probably, that is where we need to search for a way to develop such non governmental organizations, as Association of the territory indigenous people of the territory, Indigenous information centers (as "Argish"), communities and etc. Unfortunately, there are no additional standard acts to the Law (decrees, regulations or directions). Thus it is not possible to see a mechanism of law action. But the questions remain. For example, why does the administration bill of state support of tradi-tional branches of economic activities and crafts of the indigenous people of the Krasnoyarsk territory, among which there are endangered peoples (Ketos, Chulyms), meet such a sharp pro-test from the Public Prosecutor of the territory?
Aleksanrd Ryazatzev

Partnership: meetings, impressions, proposals …
25.06.04. Meeting with members of the organizing Committee on preparation and holding the International scientific - practical conference in Krasnoyarsk "Ethnoses of Siberia. Last, present, future" within the framework of anniversary actions to 70th anniversary of the Krasnoyarsk region was held. Members of the organizing Committee are coordinators of the conference and are represented by the Krasnoyarsk regional museum, Institute of archeology and ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, coordinators of conference are the scientific secretary Sichkar' Nadezhda Ivanovna, the ethnographer Mikhail Semenovich Bamashev, the archeologist - ethnographer Vasiliy Ivanovich Privalihin. One of directions of the conference work - summarizing of the International Decade of Indigenous People of the world. Interns of the centre "Argish" declared their participation in work of the conference with presentation of the information report on situation in places of habitat of native people of the region in the modern world highlighting concrete questions of representation of indigenous people, their development in the field of education and culture under the state programs, management of territories of traditional land use.

25.06.04. Discussion in the travel agency " Dyula-tour" (director Ivan Demidov) of joint actions in development of tourist initiatives with the inspector of a trail "Indigenous people of the Krasnoyarsk Siberia" with attraction of indigenous peoples, local self-management in their territories for solution of the problem of employment and attraction of attention to traditional experience of the Ketos, Selkoops and Evenkis. At the end of a meeting the mutual wish and commitment for cooperation for work in direction "Tourism and indigenous people of the Krasnoyarsk region" was expressed.

28.06.04 Meeting with the director of the Independent news agency Victor Genrihovich Isaev on a question of participation of the IIC "Argish" in work of the organization in direction "Indigenous people of the Krasnoyarsk North" was held. V.G. Isaev shared his ideas on development of this direction. He had a good impression about one of the northern territories of Evenkya. In one of numbers of the newspaper "Evenki life" (# 10 dated March, 18, 2004) he expressed his opinion in this case in his article "Evenkya is lucky with the Governor". He is glad to successes of the district and is proud of the Evenki lands together with all population and its governor Boris Zolotarev. It is pleasant for us to see achievements of district where in the most remote settlement a computer with the Internet is available; houses have hot water, and regular communication with the world. And its indigenous inhabitants keeps to use for food dried reindeer meet and frozen fresh meet, "yukola" and frozen deer liver. Here they like their governor. It is felt by everything.

29.06.04 Meeting and conversation with Ilona Zakharchenko, the editor-in-chief of "Laboratory of news" (www.news.lab.ru) about the project on creation of the Network of information centers of education to legislation of indigenous peoples "Lauravetlan" as one the important actions in Decade of Indigenous people of the world declared by the United Nations were held. The meeting was finished by share of interns interest in participation in the program "Person", with giving information on situation of indigenous people on the Web-site of "Laboratory of news".

29.06.04 Acquaintance with the report on human rights of citizens in territory of the region in 2003 of Innokentiy Egorovich Zhmakov, the Ombudsman (representative on human rights) in territory of the Krasnoyarsk region activity of his organization was held. There are serious concerns in a sphere of constitutional laws and freedoms of citizens in territory of the region. Unfortunately, information on observance of the right of indigenous people in the region, a summary of the Decade of Indigenous People of the world in the report was absent. As a prospective for the future an active cooperation of the Ombudsman organization with the IIC "Argish" was planned.

30.06.04 Participation in work of session of the Constant Commission Zaksobranie on affairs of the North and ISNPN N.V.Novik, Director of the center over the program of support to indigenous people for 2004, appeal of the center interns on holding a round table on results of the previous program (2000-2003) and position of indigenous people of the region in October, 2004. In the statement of the director of the centre urgent problems on territory of the Turuhanskiy district, the only one with a bigger number of indigenous people were presented. Financing of the Far North of the region decreases every year. In 2004 despite of increase of prices (products, transport charges, high tariffs of housing and communal services) the budget of the Turuhanskiy district become 10 % less than in the past 2003. 140 million rubles are not given. The budgets of the okrugs of such territories of the Far North are higher in 5 times per person than the budget of the district. Territory and a population are almost the same, as in Evenkya. Conditions and climate are identical but the standard of living of the population is equal to a level of the southern districts of the region. The region has forgotten its native district including its 1500 indigenous people. How to save the indigenous people of the districts after uniting? If the region cannot help with financing to development of the district, it should allow to the management of the district to go to Moscow for the decision of questions. So it was earlier and this experience was positive enough. Federal financing of the programs of development has been absent for 4 years. Whom the population should expect, including indigenous people? How to finish construction of the school in Surgutikha, the Indigenous Center in Kellog? 10 years ago in school of Surgutikha half of pupils were from indigenous people, today only 3 are out of 49. The factory on processing wild plants and products of trades has only a building in Imbatsk. Ther is nothing to buy the needed equipment. A big question is employment in traditional trades of the indigenous.

We hope for oilmen of "Rosneft" Co. (Russian Oil) - all this will help to develop the district. Negotiations of the district administration with representatives of the management of "Rosneft" (vice-president Zemliuk Stepan Vasil'evich) were held at June 28. The most important issue, touched in talks, was about employment of the population of the district. Primary preparation of 30 experts in geological specialities is supposed. But questions of preservation of native peoples, their way of life, traditional branches should not be forgotten. Especially reindeer breeding - spirit of the northerner. The Vankor deposit and reindeers should be compatible. 2 from 3 peoples have no deer any more. This is a real alternative of survival of those who does not adapt to market time. There is no opportunity to work on a question of preparation of the managerial staff because of lack of financing. It is a shame to speak about how our regional program helps students of the indigenous people. IIC "Argish" - an initiative of the indigenous people, which means finding the most capable citizens for a professional training from the territories of traditional land use. This initiative is worth to support.

"Voters should complain" is the opinion of the deputy of Zaksobranie (ZS) of the region Igor Zaharov published in "World of news" № 26 (77). And though it is not accepted according to customs of indigenous people of the northern region, we are compelled to do it today, now, following his advice. May be this will activate authorities. Certainly, reforms of housing and communal services and institutions of local government are necessary. But reforms are happening all the time but a person appears in more difficult vital situation. Sometimes even the whole people. In our case, the indigenous small numbered of the Far North of the region. But complaints to life in limited quantity come from them. Therefore it is difficult for our deputies to name their problems even. Probably, for this reason I.E. Zhmakov does not have any data on their situation. But not all is safe in territories of compact settlements of the indigenous. Regional authorities should to know of about.
Since July 01-07, 2004 interns of the IIC "Argish" have continued to work with deputies of the Committee on affairs of the North and indigenous people Vasiliy Semenovich Nechaev, Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Kaplina, the chairman of the Committee of the administration of the region on affairs of nationalities, religions and public units Mark Gennad'evich Denisov, the Head of Turuhansky district Simona Grigorievna Yurchenko on the program for support of indigenous people of the region in 2004 and the next years, activities of the Decade of indigenous people of the world in the region. The special attention is given to a question of professional training indigenous people for administrative work in places of their traditional habitat within the framework of a joint plan of actions with the pedagogical university (rector and deputy of Zaksobranie Nikolai Ivanovich Drozdov and his assistant Mikhail Andreevich Vohmin) and other educational institutions of Krasnoyarsk which could become a smithy of the personnel for territories of traditional land use. We discussed questions of joint development and holding a round table "Results of the 10-anniversary of the indigenous people of the world in the region".

08.07.04 Meeting in Education Department of the regional administration (chief Vladimir Petrovich Shishmarev) with the deputy chief Lyubov Ivanovna Cherepova on issues of preparation of the pedagogical personnel from the indigenous communities in educational institutions of the region, development of education programs "Children's summer recreational-educational settlements" within a framework of the regional program of national settlements development. L.I.Cherepova made a proposal of the Department to the program of indigenous people for 2004 and the future.

09.07.04 Meeting in Department of natural resources (chief Anatoly Sergeevich Galkin) with chief deputy Chief Gennady Vasil'evich Gel'berg was conducted on participation of indigenous people in use of natural resources in territories of traditional land use and their natural habitat. Cooperation is planned to work in direction "we do not want to be away from our problems".

During of the training time the centre interns kept in touch with public reception office of the Governor of the Evenkya Autonomous Okrug (EAO) (head Hristina Evdokimovna Popova), which supports the idea of having a high-grade representation of indigenous people of the Turuhansky district of the region in the regional administration.

Language and culture - dignity of people, no language and culture - no people - there is no problem then! For the indigenous population of the Krasnoyarsk region living in remote northern territories, communication opportunities of the civilized world are not always accessible. It is a great luck when there is a telephone in a settlement and helicopter arrives once a week. Due to limits of information resources indigenous small numbered people of the North not always know that their problems are actively discussed at the international level. Questions of preservation of culture, language, traditions and the customs promoting preservation of traditional knowledge especially in nature protection sphere are vital. But if there are prospects in their effective development? My opinion there is no prospect. Because disappearance of knowledge of the majority of native peoples in Russia becomes more obvious fact. Carriers of cultures of the northern people becomes less each year by virtue of different circumstances and state attention too. There are territories where you can still hear speech of the natives, melodies of their songs, sounds of musical instruments, fairy tales, legends … But these places are very fewer that you can count them on fingers. It is hardly about 10.
At the Third Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held in May 20, 2004 in New York, this theme was covered in the statement of Zinaida Strogalshikova, a Veps woman from Karelia, a member of the Forum from Russia. She made her statement before the world community, unfortunately, on insufficiency and even absence of the state attention to languages of small numbered peoples with unwritten languages especially, having noted thus activity legislative and practical experience of the previous years in Russia, the USSR on this question: "the initial stage of democratization (80-90 of the last century) was for indigenous peoples a time of hopes for positive changes in a national policy, focused on a recognition and respect to originality of all of its peoples and ethnic minorities". In that period written language of 12 peoples was restored and languages of many bigger numbered peoples considerably expanded sphere of use. The number of the languages used in education system, has increased from 44 up to 83 for some years. Today there is no such attention of the state or it is minimal.
In 1991 for the first time in a history of the Russian state a law "About languages of peoples of Russia" was accepted. It recognized equality of languages of all peoples, guaranteed protection by the state and a right to make their own decisions by subjects of the Federation about a legal status of languages of peoples living in their territory and measures of support. Special protection of the state was guaranteed to languages of small numbered peoples". For creation of conditions on their preservation and development according to the law "About languages of peoples of the Russian Federation" the direct responsibility of the supreme bodies of the federal authority was established. What we have today?
The law which guarantees "creation of written language at unwritten peoples, preparation and realization of the state programs on preservation, study and development of their languages; the publishing of their literature, financing of scientific researches on languages; creation of conditions for their use in mass media and distribution of messages and materials in these languages through mass media; preparation of the experts working in the field of preservation, study and development of languages; development of education system with the purpose of perfection of language culture of small numbered peoples; assistance in the organization of various forms of education and training for their children not dependable on their number and according to their needs", do not work out. Why?
Z.Strogal'shchikova notices sometimes developers of the law were concerned that "establishment of the responsibility of the state for preservation and development of languages of small numbered peoples on behalf of the supreme bodies of authority of the Russian Federation is caused by fear that "state bodies of other level can not take care of them at all". Action of the given law applies, in opinion of experts, to 66 peoples which number did not exceed 50 thousand people. As many questions from the list of the small numbered peoples living in Dagestan, have remained unsolved, the Government of Russia approved in 2000 the Unified list of indigenous small numbered peoples of the Russian Federation from 45 peoples. 2 North Caucasian peoples were included into it, 6 from the European part of Russia and 37 - from the North, Siberia and the Far East". Fears have been justified. In spite of the fact that the Constitution of the Russian Federation accepted by national voting in 1993, its item 68, item 3 confirmed a guarantee of a right of all its peoples to preservation of the native language, creation of conditions for its study and development. And in 1999 special rights of small numbered peoples including language, were proclaimed by the federal law "About guarantees of rights of indigenous small numbered peoples of the Russian Federation".
And in the Krasnoyarsk region they forget about preservation and development of culture and native languages of indigenous peoples, though about crisis situation with problem is indicated by the fact, "that all of them were included in the Red book of languages of peoples of Russia, prepared by researchers and published in 2002. Now 24 languages indigenous small numbered peoples are unwritten, from them 14 in the Northern Caucasus and 10 in the North and Siberia". Beneficial for languages of peoples of Dagestan was the compact living of peoples in small territory and consequently their sustainable preservation in communities, and, not less important fact was attention of their authorities. It allows seeing prospects of development even more obviously than of peoples with written languages, say, in the territory of Siberia.
Language, culture promotes growth of authority and dignity of any people. If not there are no people then. No people - no problems also! Therefore Z.Strogal'shchikova states a more disturbing situation with languages of the northern peoples. Today, according to the Ministry of Education, education on the native language is conducted by only two peoples - the Evens and Evenkis at level of elementary school, and at V-XI classes the Evenki and Even languages are studied as a subject. On the data for 2003 about 900 children of the Evens and Evenkis are educated in the native language. For other northern peoples creation of schools with education in the native language is basically complicated even in settlements with greater number of the indigenous, because of being Russified of these people. Scientists mark that in some cases studying of national languages at school has "introductory character" which does not provide their preservation. Children practically do not speak in the native language. Parents have ceased to take this care on their shoulders for some reason.
Here is a conclusion: the more irresponsibility, inactivity, slovenliness of authority and indigenous people, the faster they lose their languages and cultures. It is worthy of thinking about other methods to introduce in studying native languages at school, more similar to methodology of teaching foreign languages and but with more class time than it is given now by the curriculum. It is no a secret that teaching of national languages even in national settlements - process uncontrollable by anybody which comes to an end at a level of initial classes due to limited opportunities and absence of financing of new methods development. As an example it is worthy to analyze even once for 10 years a situation with teaching of the Keto, Selkoop and Evenki languages in Turuhansky district of the Krasnoyarsk region. It is possible to declare with full confidence that this situation is not familiar for the Education department of the region. In a difficult situation of ignoring of a problem with languages, cultures of indigenous people in the country in general the Head of the district S.G. Yurchenko anyway tries to adjust work on national languages and to wake and implement creative potential of intelligency of indigenous people. These undertakings can be called property of the region. Since January 8, 2003 under the order of administration of the district in the Turuhansky district a language laboratory has been established with the purpose of preservation of the spoken languages of indigenous people of the given territory. The laboratory works as a structural division of the Education department of district under management of Zoya Vasil'evna Maksunova.
Reform of education system in Russia considers introduction of a program of new disciplines - rights, economy, increase of hours for teaching of the Russian and foreign languages in school from 2006. It is good, but, unfortunately, it can negatively affect on a usual, but not successful, system of studying of non-Russian languages within the framework of the school program at a level of an elementary school in settlements of indigenous people of the North. Thus, the expert of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues from Russia supposes that realization of the accepted legislation on protection even such fundamental laws as a right to preservation of ethnic languages faces set of problems and is frequently executed formally that does not justify hopes of disappearing peoples for preservation of their cultures.
We support recommendation of Z.Strogal'shchikova about the analysis on themes of the forum mandate of the existing legislation starting from regional level, about protection of rights of indigenous people and practice of their execution to define the best from practical systems and to promote their exchange between indigenous people of Russia. Schools of Petrozavodsk in Karelia Republic have a lot on preservation of language of the Veps and Karelians to show and share. For the experts in the field of education of the Krasnoyarsk region this exchange would be very useful.
Intern Lyudmila Maiorova,
methodologist on Indigenous people
Education department of the Turuhansky district

Topic for discussion: "Right of indigenous small numbered people of the region to traditional land use" Besides of sharp edges of questions of self-management development, education, culture of indigenous people, in places of permanent residence of the Keto, Selkoop, Evenki, Chulym and other indigenous people of the region there is the most vital problem - a mechanism of fixing and using territories of traditional land use for increasing standards of life of these people. There are lands, but not enough on a huge area of the Krasnoyarsk region: hunting and fishing lands of the Selkoops (head Mikhaill Gavrilovich Tamel'kin from Farkovo) and the Evenki communities (Antonida Yurievna Davinduk from Sovrechka) in the Turuhansky district, small area of Eloguisky and Turukhansky zakazniks (protected reserves) as a especially protected territory and the land of the Symskaya community in the Eniseisk district (head V.V.Topkov from Sym). This question is solved with difficulties though national legislation allows speeding up its solution. Will is needed.

During our internship in the centre we considered, e.g. this theme in the following way:
- The constitution of the Russian Federation is used directly.
The part of 1 item of 15 of the Constitutions defines that it "has supreme validity, direct action and is applied in all territory of the Russian Federation".
- Blanks, contradictions, general and disputable items in the legislation are interpreted in favor of the indigenous.

The basis for this purpose is item 2, which proclaims that "a person, his rights and freedoms are supreme value", and also item 69 which says that "Russian Federation guarantees rights of indigenous small numbered people according to the convention principles and norms of the international legislation and the international agreements of the Russian Federation".
- Rights of the indigenous to traditional land use are primary and priority, bodies of the government and local self-management can only establish procedure norms of their realization and protection.
This is determined by a lot of articles of the Constitution of the Russian Federation:
- Part 1 of item 3: "Carrier of the sovereignty and a unique source of authority in the Russian Federation is its multinational people";
- Part 2 of item 17: "Basic rights and freedom of a person are inalienable and belong to him from the birth";
- Item 18: "Rights and freedom of a person and a citizen are directly working. They determine meaning, contents and application of laws, activity of legislative and executive authorities, local self-management is provided by justice";
- Again item 69 and article "м" of part 1 of item 72 in which the Russian Federation jointly with subjects of the Russian Federation conducting protection of aboriginal habitat and traditional way of life of small numbered ethnic communities is defined; the truth is that in this article not rights but parity of the competence of the federation and its subjects are regulated. The following principle comes from these articles of the Constitution:
- The opinion of the aboriginals concerning conducting any activity or construction of any object in territories of their residence is priority and can be challenged only in the judicial order.
- The right of the aboriginals to traditional land use is a part of human rights to favorable environment and simultaneously - an integral element of a right to life.
This principle comes from set of following articles of the Constitution:
- Item 42: "Every person has a right to a favorable environment …"
- Part 1 of item 20: "Every person has a right to life";
- Part 1 of item 9: "Land and other natural resources are used and protected in the Russian Federation as the BASIS of LIFE and activity of peoples living in the appropriate territory ".
So, if to judge positions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation every person has a right to life in more favorable conditions than they actually are.
In the same way it is possible to analyze a question on territories of traditional land use (ТТL) from available legislation on protection of natural environment; information, protection of information; fauna, agreements on production divide, environmental impact assessment, Forest and Civil Codes of the Russian Federation …
On the basis of few positions of the Constitution considered above it is possible to conclude that the aboriginals have some opportunities to say their word
- About their agreement/disagreement to any object construction (in our case development the Vankorsky deposit of oil and gas as one of perspective projects for development of the region in the territory of the last reindeer breeders in the region - 150 Evenkis of the Sovrechensky Lakes);
- About holding any activity in territories of their residence and management through various legal forms.
For example,
- By a way of the local referendum hold by institutions of local government at the stage of the preliminary coordination of a construction place of the object;
- By a way of public hearings/discussions at the stage of environmental impact assessment (EIA), organized by the investor/customer at federal, regional or local level according to importance of the project (section 4 of the statute about environmental impact assessment in the Russian Federation, Ministry for Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Russian Federation authorized by the order dated 18.07.1994 # 222);
- By a way of public discussions as a part of the environmental expertise, organized by institutions of local government.

With big problems TTL are created in Russia. Case with refusal to establishing ТТL "Thsanom" in the Kamchatka has reached the European Court. For the reason of unwillingness of Minekomonrazvitia (Ministry of Economic Development and Trade) of Russia to form ТТL to which the Government has charged responsibility to work with all issues connected with ТТL, indigenous people, especially small numbered, waste their vital time: without lands they will not survive physically. Contradictions of land legislation created by deputies of Gozduma (Federal Parliament - State Duma) of the Russian Federation of the last convocation, who have not given precise legal guarantees on free use of ТТL till now.

But, using available laws, we can say that opinion of the indigenous is conclusive while accepting any decision. Decision making only by the state bodies/officials, not appropriate to opinion of the indigenous people, or hindrance to expression of this opinion can be considered as an infringement of many constitutional rights. They are subject for protection in the judicial order including reference to interstate bodies on protection of human rights and freedoms if all available interstate means of legal protection (item 46 of the Constitutions of the Russian Federation) are exhausted.
Galina Korzuhina

Law of the Krasnoyarsk region of "Basis of legal guarantees of indigenous small numbered peoples of the North of the Krasnoyarsk region" dated July, 01, 2003 #7-1215 - in action! Frequently changing world of laws even to lawyers is hard to find "whereabouts" without saying a word about "forest" peoples' understanding who almost do not see any newspaper? In "Augean stables" prolific legislators it is hard even to lawyers to find a core of truth. Three federal laws and one-year-old regional "child" have not got accustomed in life of indigenous people of the region. If the competent staff from among representatives of our peoples were prepared, it would be possible to remove time of disappearance of 1500 indigenous people of the region which live basically in the North. These territorial characteristics are taken into account in Taimyr and Evenkya but sometimes it is forgotten in the relation to the Turuhansky district of the Krasnoyarsk region.
We try to survive with our strength and knowledge which are or have remained from the Soviet time. Patrimonial farms, communities, associations were organized… And now a legislative centre has been organized. But without the state personnel preparation policy among indigenous population, one of the obligatory directions preparation of managers should be for work in communities on restoration of traditional knowledge, skills, we have nothing to do without this in the modern world. This sphere is overflown with more perfect technologies and other innovations. Professional personnel are necessary for us. We need conditions when it is possible to teach managers for organization of professional interaction with the government and institutions of local government on issues of preservation of indigenous people knowledge. Preparation, retraining and improvement of professional skills of already available staff in different spheres of social life are necessary on the basis of authoritative educational institutions of the region. For years "no master" of the North, it is necessary to give a chance to its courageous and patient population to restore knowledge on self-checking, labor discipline, to performance the labor legislation to advise them on all vital questions. And, the main thing to become managers of their own life, capable to analyze, predict and do more effective work, of a community to develop and embody in life programs allowing operating personal development, development of their people.
It is the extremely important to create the personnel electronic program on indigenous people which basis will be created on database of the regional Association of Indigenous small numbered people of the North (president E.A. Senkevich). This base would contain all data under personal information of experts from indigenous people of the region. Here their small number would play a positive role: not so much work left due to this circumstance.
It is not less important to award a person for long-term work on the Far North! The rank of the honorable citizen of district was quite deserved by such personnel hunters as Sutlin Pavel Egorovich and Bal'din Ivan Trofimovich from the Verkhniy Imbatsk, Tamel'kin Mikhail Gavrilovich from Farkovo. It would be a good stimulus for young hunters to be like them. We have absolutely forgotten our elders who worked in northern taiga, tundra for 30-45 years! They are children of war and workers of home front. Attention to a person is also capital of the state. When whole people is forgotten it is a tragedy of a country. Our state is social, and the most common aims of the Russian society and Russian state are written in the item 7 of the Constitution: "creation of the conditions providing worthy life and free development of a person".
In the summer 2003 all questions on indigenous people are entrusted with the Committee on affairs of nationalities, religions and public units of the administration of the region (chairman M.G. Denisov). From reports of the Moscow Helsinki group we know its work. The committee developed and Zaksobranie (regional legislative council) approved a draft of special program "National policy of the Krasnoyarsk region for 2003-2005". Workshop-trainings for officials from all areas of the region supervising questions of a national policy with invitation of representatives of public organizations, including human rights protecting are held. Besides of it under the council of administration by the decision of the Governor A. Lebed' dated March, 7, 2002 #38-p an advisory council was created on questions of a regional national policy, state and religious and inter confessional relations. Interethnic cultural centre operates in the region.
Problems of indigenous small numbered people are new to the Committee, and we do hope that the Committee will cope with novelty of work quickly. For us the program of support of territories of traditional land use of indigenous people of the region developed by them is important. The decision of local problems which are not always possible to solve at a level of local self-management is also important for us.
Management of the Committee has shown interest to our offer about joint work on formation of a council of our representatives according to the item 24 of the regional laws "Bases of legal guarantees of indigenous small numbered people of the North of the Krasnoyarsk region" as a starting point of effective cooperation, partnership in action between indigenous people and authorities in territory of the region:
"1.Under the council of the administration of the region, under the institutions of local government councils of representatives of small numbered peoples are being formed.
2. Councils of representatives of small numbered peoples will:
- Participate in preparation of programs of economic and socio cultural development, drafts, statutory acts, other decisions accepted by this administration, which touch upon rights and legitimate interests of small numbered people;
- Develop drafts of programs, statutory acts and other decisions directed on implementation of economic, social and cultural needs of small peoples;
- Protect rights and legitimate interests of small numbered people.
3. Councils of representatives of small numbered peoples are formed of persons elected from public units of these peoples (association, counterparts' association and cultural centers) and also from bodies of their territorial public self-management.
4. The order of formation and organization of work of councils of representatives of small numbered peoples is determined by statutes approved by the administration council of the Krasnoyarsk region and institutions of local government accordingly".
We agree: there is a lot of work and a council is necessary. Especially before unification of several territories into one. Experts are also necessary for high-grade representation of indigenous peoples. We should know them personally and trust them, as it they will be the most worthy people. Council could carry out control of solution of our problems and be responsible for made decisions… For example, for construction Indigenous Center in Kellog and a school in Surgutikha, for work of a factory for processing of wild plants in Imbatsk in interests of the indigenous population of the North and the first national enterprise to which the planned federal financing to finish these objects under the previous program (2000-2003) has not arrived. While in the Committee they have offered to us … to think the idea over. Though in other regions such representations have been existing for a long time and their activities have received a high estimation. But we agree with the offer: authorities need partners which are to trust and work effectively with. The only thing is that these reflections should not long for years.

So, one of the important problems for development of indigenous peoples of the region - absence of the personnel adapted to the modern market conditions of development of economy, social sphere that results with absence of their professional representation at authorities, a society and absence of consideration of their opinion while developing and implementation of programs.
We hope for the mister Governor. Because he already has a professional experience on problems of indigenous peoples of the North. Today Evenkya becomes an interesting territory by a way of solution of their problems. And though we want to be away from a policy, everything, that occurs with indigenous peoples of the district, with all its inhabitants, can not leave us indifferent. Everything is learnt in comparison. Participation of authority in destiny of indigenous people - too. Yes, in Evenkya prepares the quite good personnel for work in ethnic social processes for the future united subject of Russia. That is not absent in the Krasnoyarsk region. Therefore council of representatives of small numbered people of the region should be organized for constructive work in the future. Even in order not to receive a reproach that absence of social programs of 1500 indigenous people of the donor-region or reduction of their financing already results with utter assimilation and subsequent disappearance of culture of indigenous small numbered peoples of the North - the Ketos, Selkoops, Evenkis and Chulyms.

Let our joint ideas not remain simple words (remember pre-election fights). What we speak today seems important namely today. Tomorrow it will be forgotten. But deeds will live 1000-1000 years!
Anna Samoilova

Why the report of the Ombudsman of the Krasnoyarsk region for 2003 contains no information on situation of indigenous people? The brief information from the report. The territory of the Krasnoyarsk region makes 2401,6 thousand sq. kilometers. The resident population is 2966,2 thousand people. From city resident population makes 75,7 %, rural - 24,3 %, women - 52,9 %, men - 47,1 %. Urban population inhabitants of the regional centre make 40,5 %. Average population density is higher than 1,2 persons on 1 sq. km., that is in 6,7 times of below of average data in Russia. Population density without Taimyr and Evenkya autonomous okrugs - 3,8 persons on 1 sq. km. is lower more than in 2 times of average in the country. Maintenance of social and other rights and guarantees of citizens depend on economic and financial conditions of the territory. There are serious lacks … the most part of the population of the territory is in a position when salaries, pensions, welfare grants do not satisfy of the vital needs. Many citizens of the territory live below of the poverty line, having the income lower than a living wage. Differentiation of a society into social groups continues to intensify. The number of the beggars and homeless grows; a lot of children among them.
Zaksobranie of the region in its decision from 02.03.04 № 9-1756P took the report into consideration and expressed concerns about maintenance of human rights in territory of the region "and first of all social". Recommendations to the administration council of the region followed with order: "in a case of over fulfilling a profitable part of the regional budget to correct primarily regional social programs within one year which financing was partly or completely restricted while an approval process of the budget ".
It is known that the program for support of territories of indigenous people residence functioned with serious infringements in 2000-2003. In October, 2003 it was stopped at all. Interns of the centre are going to lead in 2004 a superficial analysis of efficiency of its implementation in one of national settlements combining it with internship of a group of indigenous people directly in a settlement. In the bulletin № 4 their opinion will be written.
At the meeting in the office of the Ombudsman in the Krasnoyarsk region Innokenty Egorovich Zhmakov to our question "why the report has no information on situation of indigenous peoples of the territory" he gave the following answer. "According information of the Committee on affairs of nationalities, religious and public units of the regional administration all indigenous people live normally and there is no rough violation or infringement of their rights at the present". When we informed him on a real situation in such settlements as Maiduika, Surgutikha, Selivanikha, Kellog, Bor and etc., I.E. Zhmakov expressed his wish to cooperate to have an independent information on real situation of indigenous people of the territory delivered to the department of the Ombudsman.
It will happen so as far as there is no effective representation of indigenous peoples in authority. Only in a condition of adequate representation the report could cover aboriginal problems and attention of all branches of authority, law enforcement bodies, bodies of municipal authority, officials and society could be involved in solution of civil, cultural, social and economic problems of their citizens - indigenous small numbered people of the territory. Cooperation, Coactions, Compassion to hold observance, maintenance of the constitutional guarantees of human rights and protection of rights of indigenous peoples should take place. It is a shame when even in the neighboring Novosibirsk city nobody knows that indigenous people still live in the Siberian lands. Association of indigenous small numbered people of the North (ISNPN) of the Krasnoyarsk region and Evenkya (president E.A.Sen'kevich) can help to improve this situation through mass media, including TV. We do not have any regional newspaper which highlights indigenous people issues. Association of ISNPN can find a way and establish good relations with the regional TV "Afontovo" (its head - a deputy of ZS of the region S.Kim, a creative, constructive person with various interests). We are able and must help ourselves. If we do want, nobody can help us.
Dear Innokenty Egorovich! Thank you for the Report on observance of citizens' rights and activity of the Ombudsman in the Krasnoyarsk region in 2003. We thank you and your noble colleagues for joint work you do for a Man of Siberia!

Lyudmila Majorova

Attention! For information of indigenous small numbered people of the region: changes in national legislation While the forth group of the center "Argish" in the taiga village alienated from the other world was studying available legislation documents of international and national levels, information on changes of 155 federal laws appeared. These changes were made because of adopted at the first reading by the State Duma of Federal Gathering (Parliament) of the RF from July 02, 2004 the draft federal law "On general principles of organization of legislative (representative) and executive bodies of state power of the Russian Federation subjects" and "On general principles of organization of self-governance in the Russian Federation". Obviously, Russian parliamentarians' wish to worsen the bad situation of their people has no limits: amendments of 155 laws struggles against students' interests, who receive poor scholarships, against basis of labor protection, against 9 million labor ex-serviceman, as the financial support of their social payment, according to state standards, becomes function of the subjects of the RF... In social oriented state care of the RF subjects becomes social support of orphan children and social orphans, handicapped children… At the same time the RF subjects lost their property rights to natural resources and have no "juridical rights of getting taxes and payments of renting character". RF subjects will stop to participate in deposits exploitation and use of other natural resources. Logically financial opportunities to execute social payments are reduced.
Liable for change are the laws "On state guarantees and compensations for persons who live and work in regions of the extreme North and locations compared and inscribed to this level", "On social development of the village" and etc. and also two from three major federal laws on rights of indigenous small numbered people of the RF" from 30 April, 1999, "On general principles of organization of communities of indigenous small numbered people of the North, Siberia and Far East of the RF" from July 20, 2000. These laws, by the way, have no time to start working in interests of the aboriginal peoples in the Krasnoyarsk region.
We think that this bill does not correspond to the Russian Federation Constitution! Parliamentarians have learned to write laws, but not to be in partnership with the electorate to make them a reality of life!

Path will be overcome by the walker' or 'Need teaches to everything Forth group of regional indigenous information center "Argish" has finished its educational course of internship on "Human rights, rights of indigenous people". Achievement of this project is that 48 interns, firstly, are representatives of indigenous small numbered people directly from traditional settlements, communities where no possibility to obtain knowledge about human rights and to get acquainted with legislation of indigenous people. Secondly, during of two years of the center activity these interns will be under our care. Thirdly, the project is not obscure but concrete and directed to a concrete person with his problems and plans for the future. Today already 24 persons of the most northern administration territory of the Turukhansk district- representatives of Maiduika, Surgutikha, Selivanikha, Kellog, Baklanikha, Bor and Turukhansk have received knowledge useful today and now. And the last, kind traditions of mutual understanding, friendship, sincerity and openness of 'Lauravetlan Information and Education Network of Indigenous people" since Moscow and from beginning of the International Decade of Indigenous People (1994-2004). It is some kind of a summary for activities of indigenous small numbered people development in Russia.
Previous three groups were taught in the regional center - city of Krasnoyarsk, the forth decided to study in one of the remote from the world the taiga villages of indigenous people. It was needed for interns to test their own strength, capacities of the educational program in the immediate places of living. While making decision the fact was taken into consideration that majority of the center "Argish" who declared their commitment to study in the center in 2004 were representatives of different relative tribes of the Keto people in Kellog village, which is called as "capital" of this people. Choice was made in favor of this taiga village with 330 people which 2/3 population of the Keto nationality. Kellog is one of the national settlements situated in political, social, economic and cultural crisis. Repeated attempts of authorities for many years to settle development problems through local and regional programs have not come to the expected results. The most alarming situation is with relations of local population and bodies of self governance (village councils). Though our desire to be optimistic and consider life philosophically some articles of this taiga bulletin may give reason for sad thinking and conclusions.
Desire to learn about human rights, perception of unavoidable disappearance of culture and languages of their people, commitment to preserve its ancient heritage for some historical time, understanding of need to be adapted into modern reality with familiarization of new technologies are characteristic motivations of our interns. It is needed to follow new paths with old knowledge; and with just hopes for state one can not survive. It is necessary to know much about ourselves to overcome our inferiority complexes.
In this regard for us a Keto fairytale "Need teaches to everything" is very meaningful and instructive: "In settlement a lazy young lass had no wish to learn to do anything, neither to sew boots and clean fish, nor to put trap and prepare a fishing net. Time came to marry but she could not do anything. Nobody put a pot with presents near of her chum doors. With difficulty she got married in the next settlement. In the first moving (argish) her mother-in-law got angry with her. They went long in taiga to the White Lake, everybody got tired, they had to fix a chum. All relatives looked but the daughter-in-law but she was already slipping near a tree. Mother-in-law decided to punish her for laziness. Early in the morning when the lazy daughter was slipping she ordered to unfix the chum and migrate to another place. She did not want to leave anything to the lazy daughter-in-law; and even broke her skis in order she would be not able to catch up her husband in deep snow. But sister of husband felt sorry for the lazy and secretly from her mother left a gall-bladder of the wood-grouse full of grease, needles, a flint and an axe. The lazy daughter woke up from cold, jumped and saw not a living soul but heard wind blowing tree tops. She wore only a torn parka on her. She got frightened, started crying and the taiga echoed to her different voices. She saw a flint and an axe. Fear went and she took the axe and cut knots, set fire with the flint. She felt her parka blowing through. She took the needle and sewed a patch to and turned to another side and it was blowing through again. Finally she mended all her parka. Then skis she made and went to catch her relatives. When she came to her husband in settlement she was not lazy any more because living in the taiga taught her much".
What objectives set our center "Argish" before itself? Education in sphere of human rights and informing on freedoms and rights of indigenous people of the North to the places of native habitat in the Krasnoyarsk region. Main attention is given to preserve human dignity and development of individuality. In the framework of given legislation knowledge interns are taught to analyze legislative, social, economic and cultural situations themselves considering international and national laws and norms. At the same time it is important not to change his formed traditions but to assist to experience of his people, to supply him with information necessary to his counterparts. Interns of 4th group organized roundtable discussions "We are to live in the taiga, to work in the North", a holiday celebration "Village Birthday", initiated a practical workshop how to erect a chum with help of the elders and fixed it at least. Today they discuss about organization of self governance head elections and ways of efficient development of the village for 4 years. Result of the collective work of the group is the taiga bulletin "Word of people of the North". A photo-bulletin named after the topic of the roundtable is going to be issued. All these activities will contribute to settling one more important objective - preparation of our professional specialists.
Still we go along the path slowly but with optimism and faith in ourselves and friends! We thank everybody who met us and tried to discuss and even to settle questions of the village residents, we thank our respected elders and each other for being patient and work! Our information may be important for those who are indifferent to destiny of disappearing peoples. Next four groups will start studying their internship program on indigenous issues in 2005. May be among them interns from neighboring territories, other places from Evenkia and Taimyr, settlements of indigenous peoples: Tyukhtetsky and Eniseisky distruicts, village of Igarki will appear…We are waiting for you, our dear friends, in our center! We are to live and work together for wealth of our region and Russia!
Sincerely and best wishes,

Nadezhda Novik

Nature Reserve "Eloguisky" 05.08.04. A meeting with Sergei Fedorovich Kolegov, inspector of the State All-Republic Ecologic-Ethnographic Nature Reserve (zakaznik) "Eloguisky" was held who is on the staff of the Srednesibirsky Biosphere Reserve (zapovednik) which management staff is located in Bor village, Turukhansk district. S.F. Kolegov presented a Statue of the zakaznik "Eloguisky" for the center interns consideration. Questions about the preserve zones in the Turukhansk district appear more than answers. Uncertainty of their activities causes disturbed situation on protected areas quantity in our region. According to information of the local newspaper "Mayak Severa" (Lighthouse of the North) dated 15.01.04 it has become known that the Srednesibirsky Biosphere zapovednik got a telegram dated December 5, 2003, signed by the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources of the RF, Pavlov which tells: "hold by state body of the Ministry for Natural Resources of Russia analysis of civilities managed by you organization for period of 2002-2003 gives us reasons to assume about irrationality of its further co-existence…" and "in time till December 15 to report about basis justification of necessity for further functioning of the organization". With financial documents enclosed.
In our times one may only dream about normal financing of the protected natural areas. Our zapovednik has become not exception. Even the facts that its functions include conservation of traditional landuse territories of the Keto people in the zakazniks "Eloguisky" (near Kellog village) and "Turukhansky" (Bakhta village), and that it is inscribed into the list of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO could not help. Minprirody (Ministry for Natural Resources of Russia) took care about irrationality of the protected area in our region. But later another telegram came which indicated about presentation of the report and recognition of a mistake. But it is a signal. For the indigenous peoples the zakazniks are the only hope for prospects where to lead traditional style of life will be possible like in reservations. All other measures taken for indigenous peoples are not reliable and not secure protection of their interests.

Sustainable development and landuse Article "Indigenous Issue", Moscow News, Krasnoyarsk region №43 dated 4-10.11.2003
Aborigines of the Krasnoyarsk North may gain right of property to lands where they hunt, fish and breed deer. In spite of that Gosduma (Russian Parliament) does not want to give fast areas to the indigenous communities of the Russian North, Zaksobranie (Regional Legislative Council) of the Krasnoyarsk krai intends to assign territories of traditional landuse to tribal communities.
Commission on the North and indigenous small-numbered people has introduced for the first reading a draft law "On lands of traditional landuse of the indigenous small-numbered people of the North of the Krasnoyarsk krai". If it is passed, authorities will recommend bodies of self-governance to define order of establishing borders of such territories.
At the same time representatives of aborigines proposed to insert amendment: "Industrial development of territories belonging to the indigenous people, possible from their agreement" to another law "On basis of right guarantees of the indigenous small-numbered people of the North of the Krasnoyarsk krai". However last summer deputies rejected it.
In reality such questions are solved without background glance at imperfect legislation. It is not necessary for and in favor of industry which is conquering the North. For instance, recently American oil industry workers have left the Enisei region. On the Sym River the American flag was raised already 10 years ago. Founded in Texas, Symskaya Exploration, Inc. obtained a license for 25 years, but here the American pathfinders came across the same civilized problems as their forefathers' while conquering prairies. Not standing this, in May the Americans dismissed this license.
At the same time the indigenous residents of Sym village (few tens of them) opposed a proposal of the region administration on establishing a Nature Parks with area of 2.5 million hectors. Opinion of the Evenki and the Keto traditionally making a living in these lands was supported by regional deputies promising to bring this case till Genprokuratura (Office of Public Procurator) if aborigines will be oppressed.
Legal courtliness of regional parliaments may lead to the fact that e.g. rights of the Evenkis in the Krasnoyarsk region will differ greatly from rights of the Evenkis in the Evenkiyskiy autonomous okrug (district). There, according to officials of the Association of the indigenous small-numbered people of the North, Siberia and Far East, the notion "a subject of traditional landuse" is interpreted so loosely that for different juridical organizations opportunities appear to obtain lands as property where aborigines have lived and hunted for many centuries. According to words of Genadiy Druzhinin, a deputy of Gosduma from Evenkia, officials may refuse even indigenous communities to give a license for hunting.
Comments of "Argish" center interns on the article
Firstly, we have never seen such a draft law.
Secondly, even in period of Decade of the Indigenous People of the World, declared by the UN in December of 1994, Russia still remains an only Arctic country which has not regulated its legislation in sphere of nature, land use and environment protection with the indigenous small-numbered people and old residents of the North.
Modern policy of bodies of state power regarding the indigenous people of the North still defined by directions of the Soviet times when all kinds and forms of their activities were considered as "archaic remains" and practicing such activities collectives - as the most backward and conservative groups of population of the country.
Much time is needed (especially very small numbered people have no time whose unique culture is on edge of disappearance), to convince society that a way of life of our ancestors is a special kind of human activity, which
- actively contributes to conservation of integrity of ecosystems and sustains level of biodiversity of the Earth and even in view of this it is a necessary component of process for sustainable development in any country;
- represents by itself a basis for national cultures of all peoples and cultural diversity of the planet;
- is a form and condition for existence of mentality and spiritual life of each people, in its serious extent defines depth and diversity of spiritual search of all mankind.
Smirnova Vera, Keto
Baldina Irina, Keto
Ryazatzev Vadim, Keto









Copyright © Льыоравэтльан Все права защищены.

Опубликовано на: 2006-10-30 (1006 Прочтено)

[ Вернуться назад ]

Архив статей  ::  Добавить новость ::  Контакт с автором ::  Рекомендовать Нас

RusNuke2003 theme by PHP-Nuke по-русски
Открытие страницы: 0.01 секунды
The Russian localization - project Rus-PhpNuke.com