report
Circumpolar
Seminar
on Results
of the International Project
“Conservation
Value of Sacred Sites of Indigenous Peoples in the
Circumpolar Seminar on sacred sites of indigenous
peoples was held in Salekhard on 6 – 7 April 2007 as the second
phase of the International Project «Conservation Value of
Sacred Sites of Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic: A Case Study in the North of
Russia». This seminar was devoted to presentation and
discussion of data received during the first phase of the project (2000-2001) in the territory of Tazovsky District
of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region and in Olyutorsky District of Koryak
Autonomous Region and to elaboration and adoption of recommendations related to
certain measures of effective protection and conservation of sacred sites of
indigenous peoples.
Circumpolar Seminar was organized by the Association
of Indigenous Peoples of the North,
The theme of the seminar caused a
great interest of indigenous organizations, bodies of the State authority of
the subjects of the
Participants of the seminar and the
discussion were guided by the experience of Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous
Regions that had already adopted such regional laws as «On subjects of the
cultural heritage of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region» (from 6 April 2006 ¹
49-ZAO) and «On sacred sites of indigenous peoples of Khanty-Mansiysk
Autonomous Region – Ugre» (from 8 April 2005 ¹ 92-oz). The texts of these
regional laws were distributed among all participants of the seminar together
with the Guideline Principle for the conduct of cultural, environmental and
social impact assessments regarding
developments proposed to take place on sacred sites and on lands and waters
occupied by or used by indigenous and local communities (decision VII/16/F of
the COP 7 on Biodiversity) and together with the project of Elements of the
Ethial Code of Conduct for ensuring respect of the cultural and intellectual
heritage of indigenous and local communities that plays a great role in
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, adopted by the decision
VIII/5/F of the COP 8 on Biodiversity.
The Executive Secretary of the
Convention on Biodiversity Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf addressed the participants
with congratulations and wished a successful seminar. He was not able to
participate in the seminar but conveyed a personal message and marked the fact
that since time immemorial, sacred sites had constituted a precious instrument
of conservation of nature and always provided a unique link between nature,
culture and ethic and spiritual values. The protection and respect of these
sites were therefore of vital importance for safeguarding cultural and
biological diversity for present and future generations. The Secretariat of the
Convention on Biodiversity was conducting researches of highly vulnerable indigenous
and local communities. Recognizing the importance of the work that RAIPON is
conducting in the Russian Arctic, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on
Biodiversity has invited to convey the outcome of this important meeting to
ensure that our concerns are fully reflected in their research.
The Chief Executive of the
Department on Indigenous Affairs of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region Ms.
Lydia Vello welcomed all participants of the seminar on behalf of the
Administration of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, she also wished a successful
work and informed that a great work on conservation and protection of the
spiritual and cultural heritage of indigenous peoples had been conducted in
Yamal, regional laws had been elaborated and adopted, regional programs of
economic and social and cultural development of indigenous peoples of the North
were currently in force. Taking into account the results of the project on
sacred sites in Tazovsky District for 2007, such work is planned to be carried
out in the
The chairman of the State Duma on
National Affairs Mr. Evgeny Trofimov emphasized the importance of the
meeting held in Yamal where the discussion of the project of the Federal law prepared
by the Committee would take place. The presence of three deputies of the State
Duma, the members of the Committee on National Affairs, the chairman of the
Committee staff, the specialist from the Institute of Legislation and Comparative
Law under the Russian Federation Government
(it elaborated this bill) showed us the firm intentions of the Committee. The Committee on National Affairs carries out
such work in cooperation and partnership with RAIPON. Deputies of the State
Duma are ready to hear proposals and remarks on proposed bill in order to
complete its elaboration and present it to the Plenary meeting of the State
Duma.
Member of the board of the working group
on Conservation of Artic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), national representative of
Sweden in CAFF Mr. Sune Sohlberg
conveyed in his salutatory address a gratitude to RAIPON, to the Administration
of Yamalo-Nenets and Koryak Autonomous Regions for realization of the pilot project
on sacred sites and to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA) that funded this project. Mr.
Sune Sohlberg noted
that the project had been realized during his chairmanship in CAFF. That’s why
he was very acknowledged of it. According to Mr. Sune Sohlberg RAIPON led the project in a very
professional way that could be a very good example to use around the
The representative of the
Secretariat of Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic Council Ms. Alona Efimenko
told about the process of preparation of this project, she thanked RAIPON, the
Coordinator of the project Mr. Mikhail Todyshev, regional researchers Mr.
Okotetto and Ms. Yailgina and all regional assistants for the work that had
been done. The project on sacred sites in the
The Chair of the State Duma of
Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region Mr. Sergey Kharuchi emphasized that
issues of conservation of sacred sites of indigenous peoples required a complex
approach. From one side, this information on religious worldview and spiritual
values is often of secret and intimate character and is entrusted only to close
relatives and transmitted from one generation to another. That’s why it’s
important to respect and be very careful in dissemination of this information.
From the other side, in order to include a sacred site in the list of subjects
of the cultural heritage for further protection it’s necessary to gather a
proper amount of information. All these relations require a legislative
regulation. The State Duma of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region adopted in 2006
two laws on conservation of sacred sites and national burial places «On
subjects of the cultural heritage of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region» (from 6
October 2006 ¹ 48-ZAO) and «On protection of aboriginal habitats and
traditional way of life of Indigenous Peoples of the North in Yamalo-Nenets
Autonomous Region» (from 6 October 2006 ¹ 49-ZAO). It’s also important to adopt
corresponding regulations at the federal level. In this connection the initiative of the
Committee of the State Duma on National Affairs on development of the project
of the Federal law «On Conservation of Aboriginal Habitat,
Session I: Results of the first phase of the International
project «Conservation Value of Sacred Sites of Indigenous Peoples in the
Mr. Mikhail Todyshev, the coordinator of the International
project «Conservation Value of Sacred Sites of Indigenous Peoples in the
Arctic: A Case Study in the North of Russia»», 2000-2001, told about the
targets and goals of the project carried out in the territory of Olyutorsky
District of Koryak Autonomous Region and
in Tazovsky District of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, he also told about
participants of the project, main methods and received results. Due to the
efforts of indigenous peoples, selection of regional researchers and assistants
was made regarding the opinions of the regional associations of indigenous
peoples of Yamal and Koryak Autonomous
Regions. Thus, researchers from indigenous peoples that have a good authority
and enjoy respect came to help to indigenous elders, fishermen, hunters and
reindeer-breeders. As a result the project showed reliable data. More than 100
people had been asked. 263 sacred sited in Tazovsky District of Yamalo-Nenets
Autonomous Region and 84 sacred sites in the territory of Olyutorsky District
of Koryak Autonomous Region were discovered and mapped.
During preparation of the final
report on the project due to the analysis of the reports made by the regional
assistants and researchers an outcome of indissoluble link and mutual
dependence between well-being of biodiversity and cultural and linguistic
diversity was reached. The method of the social questionnaires, applied in this
research, allowed to determine this mutual dependence. For example, when
everything is all right in life of a reindeer-breeder, he is in tundra busy with
increasing of the livestock of his reindeers providing himself and all his
family and relatives with meat, fish and other foodstuff and he also provides
dietary products to citizens and peoples in the settlements. During all these
he visits sacred sites and ritual places. He follows commandments of his
ancestors and restrictions related to religious worldview. That
reindeer-breeder takes from nature as much as he needs for living. This way
that reindeer-breeder conducts a traditional way of life and wears traditional
national clothes and use only his national language.
When geologists, road builders and
miners come to tundra they do harm soil, eliminating reindeer moss, pollute
rivers and water reservoirs, upset an ecological balance. As a result reindeer
pastures reduce, spawning of precious kinds of fish become extinct. A
reindeer-breeder who loses his reindeer livestock has to go back to the working
settlement or town where he has not any opportunities to be employed. Once he leaves
tundra he will not visit sacred sites. The system of moral restrictions
disappears and such human being starts to abuse alcohol. Then such people
suffer a great spiritual loss and become degraded. A former reindeer-breeder
stops wearing traditional clothes and have to speak Russian language, the most
popular language in towns. If this problem is not solved in time then the
example of a human being or a family shows us the inevitable consequences that
finally lead to loss of national language and culture. These are indirect outcome
of the project. UNESCO shows the same outcome. This project approved an
indissoluble link of the spiritual, cultural and natural heritage. By
protecting and conserving sacred sites indigenous people protect biodiversity
and their cultural and language diversity.
Mr.Mikhail Okotetto, the regional researcher on
Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, told in detail about the organization of work
under the project in the
Ms. Galina Kharuchi, the candidate of historical sciences,
the regional assistant on Tazovsky District of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region,
attracted attention to necessity to observe requirements of ethical character while
carrying out researches. While asking elders Mrs. Galina Kharuchi found out,
that being a woman she could not receive answers to certain questions because
such information was intended only for
men or elders. The important thing is that
all respondent knew her very well as they had known her parents. That was the
reason why they willingly shared information and showed some sacred sites on
the map. Researchers now have the certain obligations to respondents consisted
in limited access to the received information. Maps of sacred sites are,
certainly, necessary, as many elders told that, however the access to them
should be limited. Builders, roadmen, geologists, gasmen and other
industrialists must verify their projects with such maps. Taking into account
that many sacred sites are operating temples in the open-air, the most
effective measures of their protection consist in inclusion of sacred sites
within the borders of the territories of
traditional use of natural resources.
Mr. Leonid Lar, the candidate of historical
sciences, the regional assistant on Tazovsky District of Yamalo-Nenets
Autonomous Region, told about the great work that had been done by him and
other scientists on revealing and description of sacred sites in the
Mr. Roman Yando, the deputy chief of "Tazovsky
District", the regional assistant, sincerely thanked all participants of
the international project for the work that had been done. Today the results of
the project are visible in Tazovsky District. Due to the financial support of the
Administration of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region the report on the project was
reissued, the maps of sacred sites of indigenous peoples of Tazovsky District
were published. As the regional assistant Mr. Roman Yando did a great amount of
work. More than 100 sacred sites were revealed, described and plotted with his
participation. That work is very important and duly, especially in conditions
of the forthcoming move of oilmen and gasmen to the north of Tazovsky District.
Thus, it’s very important to keep sacred sites, not to destroy reindeer pastures,
rivers and water reservoirs that are always full of fish and game.
Ms. Albina Yailgina, the regional researcher on Koryak
Autonomous Region, shared her experience of carrying out sociological survey
and analysis of publications on sacred sites in
Koryak Autonomous Region is
essentially backward of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region in the work done on
sacred sites. None of the laws on protection of sacred sites were adopted in
Koryak Autonomous Region. Probably, the region does not enjoy good times.
Tragic earthquake, processes of association with
However, the attention to these
problems by the current governor Mr. Oleg Kozhemyako makes us believe that the
work on revealing, description and mapping of sacred sites of indigenous
peoples will be continued in Koryak Autonomous Region. Due to severe climate
conditions responsible officers of the Administration of Koryak Autonomous
Region could not arrive to Salekhard in time therefore the delegation of Koryak
Autonomous Region was presented by two researchers.
Mrs. Nadezhda Kuznetsova, the regional assistant on Olyutorsky
District of Koryak Autonomous Region, noted the importance of the results of
the project in the cultural context. Preservation and protection of sacred
sites are important for indigenous peoples as an element of the cultural and
spiritual heritage that is transmitted from one generation to another by word
of mouth. Mrs. Kuznetsova regrets that there’s a great decrease in interest to
traditional way of life of indigenous peoples among youth. Today very few
people want to become a reindeer-breeder. The youth tries to remain in towns
and cities and after receiving education they seldom come back in their
villages. Reduction in reindeer livestock leads to unemployment among
indigenous population, to change in traditional way of life, degradation,
abusing alcohol, loss of culture, cultural values and national language. Many
young people do not speak their native language as their future children will not
speak too. The importance of the project consists in the fact that for the
first time the attention has been given to such important question as collection
of information on sacred sites. Today we have this information in the form of
the report and we can transmit it to our future generations.
Mr. Mikhail Todyshev, the regional coordinator of UNEP/GEF
project "Indigenous Peoples’ Biodiversity Network", told about the
contribution of the Convention on Biodiversity to protection of the spiritual and
cultural heritage of indigenous peoples and about the activity of the project "Indigenous
Peoples’ Biodiversity Network". The great attention was paid to the work
of the Convention on Biodiversity with active participation of indigenous
peoples in the process of development and acceptance of Voluntary Guideline
Principles of cultural, environment and social impact assessment of the
proposed realization of the projects on sacred sites, and on lands and waters
traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities (decision
VII/16/F COP 7). Not less attention was paid to elaboration of the Elements of
the Ethical Code of Conduct to ensure respect of the cultural and intellectual
heritage of indigenous and local communities that plays an important role in
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (it was adopted by the
decision VIII/5/F COP 8). The work on the Ethical Code will be continued in the
course of the 5th session of the Working Group on 8j of the Convention on
Biodiversity. All participants of the seminar were invited to make remarks and
suggest their proposals and additions on
this document.
Speeches were made by:
Mr. Jose Carlos, the first secretary, the consul of
the Embassy of the
Mr. Chagat Almashev, the director of the Fund of Steady
Development of Altai, told about the work conducted in the
Mrs. Victoria Sharakhmatova, the expert on steady craft and
alternative sources of existence of the UNDP/GEF project "Conservation of biological
variety of salmon fishes of Kamchatka and their steady use", shared
experience of realization in Kamchatka of the project in the field of
preservation of traditional ecological knowledge of the indigenous people that
had a great value in preservation of biodiversity.
Mrs. Nadezhda Taligina, the senior scientific employee of
Yamal branch of the
Mr. Ivan Lamdo, the chief of the Department of the
Administration of Salekhard, thanked all participants of the project for the
work they had done and with bitterness told about how the national burial place
where his farther had been buried had been destroyed due to the construction of
the industrial subject. The conducted work is very important and it is necessary
to carry out this work in all
Mrs. Lyudmila Tolkachyova, the head of the Service on
Protection and Use of Subjects of the Cultural Heritage of Yamalo-Nenets
Autonomous Region, told about the course of realization of the laws of the
Russian Federation and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region on protection of
monuments of history and culture, she attracted the attention of researchers to
the fact that it’s necessary to collect decisions of taking charge of any
subject and then submit to this service the complete set of data according to
the requirements of the law. Such work must be carried out in many sacred sites.
At the end of the first session of the
seminar the text of recommendations of Circumpolar seminar was discussed and adopted
(see enclosure).
Session
2: Legislative
measures on conservation of
sacred sites of indigenous peoples. Seminar-discussion of the Committee of the
State Duma of the Federal Council of the
The second session of Circumpolar
Seminar was devoted to discussion of the project of the Federal law «On protection
of the traditional habitant, traditional way of life and traditional use of
natural resources of indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation" that
was held within the seminar-meeting of the Committee of the State Duma on National
Affairs under the chairman of the Committee Mr. Evgeny Trofimov.
Following deputies of the State Duma
participated in the discussion of the bill: Mr. M.Aupov, Mr. G. Doroshenko, Mr.
E. Trofimov, the leading scientific official of the Institute of Legislation
and Comparative Law under the Russian Federation Government Mrs. E.
Galinovskaya, the chairman of the State Duma of
Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region Mr. Sergey Kharuchi, the deputy chairman
of the State Duma of Khanty-Mansyisk Autonomous
Region Mr. E. Aipin, the deputy chairman of Sakhalin Regional Duma Mr. A.
Kislitsyn , the deputy of the State
Assembly El-Kurultai of the Republic of Altai Mr. U. Knyazev and other
participants of the seminar.
According to the results of the discussion
of the project of the Federal law there was the decision to continue the work
on the bill, to consider the suggested remarks, proposals and additions and to
recommend to the State Duma to consider and approve this bill.
Enclosure:
Co-Chairman of Circumpolar Seminar,
Director of the Centre of Legal Resources
of RAIPON Mr.
Mikhail Todyshev