Russia celebrates the Day of Indigenous Minorities for the first time

In Russia, on April 30, the Day of Indigenous Minorities is celebrated for the first time, recalled the speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Alexey Dodatko.

The day when the key law on the rights of these peoples was adopted was chosen as the date of the new holiday. The Chairman of the Parliament noted that about 16 thousand representatives of 8 ethnic groups, classified as indigenous peoples, live in the region. These are the Dolgans, Evenks, Nenets, Kets, Nganasans, Selkups, Chulyms and Enets.

“The strength of the region lies in its people and the diversity of their cultures. But no matter how strong in spirit they may be, we understand how difficult it is to preserve their way of life and crafts in the harsh conditions of the Arctic. And caring for the northerners is the basis for preserving traditions,” said Alexey Dodatko.

Over the past 5 years alone, regional deputies have adopted about 40 laws. Among other things, subsidies to reindeer herders and fishermen increased manifold, free flights for children to their parents’ nomadic places appeared, and schoolchildren in the North were given free trips to the south. Northerners are paid for travel to the place of treatment, and young specialists who choose the Arctic as a place of work receive bonuses from the first day of work. Currently, the relevant committee is preparing a bill to protect the rights of indigenous peoples of the North – a basis for developing well-being, preserving culture and traditional way of life.