The Federal Agency for Nationalities (FADN) and the Norilsk Nickel company signed an agreement on interaction and cooperation to support of the indigenous peoples of the North.
Head of the Federal Agency for Nationalities Igor Barinov noted the timeliness of the event, since the development of the Arctic is becoming one of the priorities for the state.
“It is very important that during the industrial development of the north of Russia we do not forget about the people who originally live here, who lead a traditional way of life. This agreement should strike a balance between industrial development and preservation of the unique nature of the Russian north and the way of life of the indigenous peoples, he said.
“It should lead people to have a clear choice: to live the lifestyle of their ancestors, but at the same time have access to medicine, education and other things, or to change their destiny by getting an education and devoting themselves to another field of activity.”
Andrey Grachev, Vice President of Norilsk Nickel, recalled that eight major events will be underway already in 2021 as part of the company's support of the indigenous peoples of the North. According to the top manager, the plan will take up to 5 years, 2 billion rubles have already been allocated.
The chairman of the Taimyr Indigenous Peoples' Association, Grigory Dyukarev, said that within the framework of this agreement, in particular, the construction of a House of Culture in the village of Kheta, the national-ethnic holidays, and subsidies for air travel are envisaged.
“This program covers the entire Taimyr. Plus a separate item of financing the ethnological examination of the factors that ensure the sustainable development of indigenous peoples. We are already negotiating with the company to continue scientific research on ethnic groups and cover not only western, but also eastern Taimyr. Also, environmental measures are prescribed - the construction of fish factories, regular monitoring of the environment,” said Grigory Dyukarev.
“Indigenous peoples are pinning their hopes on the new agreement signed today, as their representatives will be able to fully participate in the dialogue,” the chairman of the association said.
The head of the FADN Igor Barinov stressed that the Agency and Norilsk Nickel agree that all decisions to support the development of the indigenous peoples of the North should be made with the direct participation of community representatives.
“Only in this case they will be effective, only then they will be targeted, and people will feel the support from the company. We are ready to get involved in this work, together with the regional authorities, together with the company and representatives of the indigenous peoples of the North, to coordinate so that people feel the changes in their daily life,” he said.
The vice-president of Norilsk Nickel announced the creation of the Coordination Council of Indigenous Peoples of the North under the head of the company's Polar Division. “We also think that the regional authorities (Krasnoyarsk Territory) will respond to our proposal. After the formation of the council, a program of interaction will be underway,” noted Andrei Grachev.
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