The rich ethnic tapestry of Siberia highlighted at congress opening in Salekhard

The 7th Congress of the Association of the Indigenous Ethnic Minorities of the North, Siberia, and the Far East has hard work in front of it during the 27-30 March event: to find modern solutions to ensure the survival and future of these many groups. 

From east to west, delegates come from the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Republic of Yakutia (Sakha), Chukotka Autonomous Area, the Republic of Buryatia, Yamal, Yugra, Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions.

'The main purpose of the forum is to work out and approve a public strategy for the development of ethnic minorities for the coming four years. This matter is of current importance also because Russia is to sum up the results of the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People in 2014,' explained Itar-Tass.

'The programme for the meeting provides for a discussion of legal support for the life-sustaining activity of the indigenous peoples of the North, economic development, community support, education, the study of native languages, culture, protection of health, sports, and youth policy.'

A new president will be elected for the organisation, a chairman of the Council of Elders, and delegates to a preparatory meeting of indigenous people in June 2013 ahead of a UN World Conference which is planned for 2014.

Foreign as well as Russian participants are attending, notably representatives of UNESCO, the World Bank, the Arctic Council, the Institute of Ecology and Anthropology of Action (Germany), the Samy Education Centre (Norway) the Inuit Circumpolar Council, the Internationa Reindeer Breeding Council (Norway), Arctic University (Finland), members of public and volunteer organisations of Denmark and Britain.

Diplomats from these countries are expected: Hungary, Estonia, the United States, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Norway, Germany and Kyrgyzstan.

Irkutsk Oil Company is a guest of honour after several times being recognised by the organisation as building successful long-term partnerships with indigenous communities in  areas where it operates.

A highlight on 30 March will be celebrations by delegates and guests of Reindeer Breeder Day.