INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
ON KEY PROBLEMS
OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE RUSSIAN NORTH
Time * 17-18 September 1999
Place * Conference hall
Ministry of Regional Policy
Prospekt Vernadskogo 37, korp. 2
Moscow, Russian Federation.
Organisers * Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North
(RAIPON)
Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Ministry of Regional Policy
Department of Indigenous Peoples of the North
International Arctic Science Committee
Themes * Natural Resources and Use of Land
Indigenous peoples have a need for use of vast land areas for their
traditional way of income. When natural resources of interest to the
industrial society are discovered in these areas, there is a conflict of
interests. Often, the indigenous peoples are losers in these conflicts,
and their possibilities for traditional way of income (as well as their
culture) are threatened.
This theme will include a more complete problem description, and aim at
how similar conflicts have been resolved in other parts of the Arctic,
including land use, legal rights to land and resources etc.
Living Conditions
The intention with this theme is to analyse the economic and social life
of the indigenous peoples using standardised methods so reliable comparative
studies can be made with peoples in other parts of the Arctic.
Alcoholism Causes and Impacts
Alcoholism is one of the most serious problems in many indigenous
communities. Physiological, psychological and societal aspects of this
problem should be studied, as well as methods and techniques for
eliminating or reducing the problem.
Aim
Within the three themes mentioned, the workshop will explore the
priority problems as seen by the indigenous peoples of the Russian North,
focussing on aspects suitable to be addressed by scientific research.
During an additional day, Russian and non-Russian scientists will start
drafting project proposals based on the discussions the day before.
Approach
A number of relevant studies have already been carried out in
the Russian Arctic, but there are several gaps in our knowledge. However,
there is a special need to analyse and compare the situation with similar
problems of other parts of the Arctic region, and in particular to
investigate solutions adapted elsewhere. Hence, comparative studies will be an important element in the follow-up work.
Background
In the situation of crisis, the most vulnerable and insecure category of the
population in the Russian North are indigenous peoples living their
traditional lifestyle. Similar problems to those being described at the workshop have occurred in other parts of the Arctic, some solutions have been found elsewhere, and an important part of the future research projects should be to investigate successful solutions in other places and consider how these solutions could be adapted to the Russian Arctic.
The objectives of this workshop are to highlight and prioritise the
most important problems for which scientific research is needed both for
analysing the situation and for identifying feasible options for solutions.
Organising
P. Sulindziga
Vice President Committee Russian Association of Indigenous
Peoples of the North (RAIPON)
I. Degtiar
Chief Department of Small Indigenous Peoples of the North
Russian Ministry of Regional Policy
E. Andreeva
Chief of Laboratory of Arctic Studies
Institute for System Analysis
Russian Academy of Sciences
J. Dahl, Director
IWGIA
Denmark
nominated by IASC
G. Fondahl
Assist. Professor
University of British Columbia, Canada
nominated by IASC
Participants
Heads of regional Associations of Indigenous Peoples of the Russian North
Federal and regional government representatives Russian and non-Russian
scientists having research interests and experience in the themes
mentioned.
Language
Russian and English with a translation service
Registration
All participants should register within 1 July 1999
Non-Russian participants are kindly asked to contact:
The IASC Secretariat
E-mail: iasc [at] iasc.no