Only 30 years or already 30 years? The association “Yamal is for descendants” is celebrating the jubilee

The jubilee XXX report-and-election congress of the regional public movement, the association of indigenous ethnic minorities of the North in Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug “Yamal is for descendants” is taking place in Salekhard. More than 200 delegates and guests from towns and districts of Yamal and other regions of the country arrived in the regional capital. The president of the association “Yamal is for descendants” Eduard Yaungad announced the congress open.

The vice-governor of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Irina Sokolova read the message of greeting from the head of the region Dmitry Artyukhov, who thanked the participants of the congress for big contribution to reliable protection of interests and rights of the Yamal Arctic. He underlines significance of the fact that the agenda includes issues not only traditional for the forum but also key topics of participation of young people in public projects, fulfillment of their potential for effective solving of social problems, preservation of ethnic languages and unique culture.

“State support of indigenous peoples is among key priorities of the regional government”, as it is said in the message. – “Today the regional system of social guarantees is one of the main in the country. I consider it the result of systemic work of the society, the power and leading companies of fuel and energy complex. Support of indigenous population will be perfected further. I am sure that the congress will be held in the creative way”.

Personally Irina Sokolova thanked veterans of the public organization standing at its origins, ones, who showed an example of service to their people and their small homeland. The vice-governor enumerated by name people helping her in her work with advice and thanked them for constructive work, non-indifferent attitude to problems of indigenous tundra-dwellers.

The chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Sergey Yamkin notes that the Association accumulated big experience of work and, in much owing to it, Yamal has one of the best legislative bases on preservation of the traditional lifestyle. The speaker underlines significance of the dialogue, which is built by the public movement competently and consistently with bodies of the power of Yamal and fuel and energy enterprises for wellbeing of indigenous peoples.

The vice-president of the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East Valery Yeleskin spoke on behalf of the Association and its president Grigory Ledkov. He calls understanding of issues of indigenous peoples from the side of the governor and the authorities of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug as one of the main bases of success of work in Yamal. According to him, “Yamal is for descendants” is the leader of public movement in Russia. Taking responsibility for destiny of their fellow tribesmen is what moves the leaders of the public organization.

“Representatives of our peoples participate in solving of state tasks, they are busy with social activity, they are successful entrepreneurs. Youth movement works actively. At that, the traditional way of life is preserved. We understand well that there are many tasks requiring to be solved”, as Valery Yeleskin quoted the president of the Russian Association and wished the congress for fruitful work and constructive decisions.

The president of the council of the Association of the World Reindeer Herders Sergey Kharyuchi standing in the origins of the Association “Yamal is for descendants” shared his reminiscences about the first congress of the Association in autumn of 1998. He presented archival documents touching upon that date and shared reminiscences about initiators of the movement.

“Only 30 years passed, and how many good deeds we fulfilled”, said Sergey Kharyuchi. – “We see the results of our work in appearance of our settlements, laid roads, good relations between people, which were formed between representatives of different cultures and civilizations. It makes happy. But there are issues, on which it needs to work together with bodies of the power, deputies, correcting legislation, with fuel and energy complex. Yesterday not always responds demands of tundra-dwellers. And it is possible to say “already 30 years passed”.

Many activists of the organization were awarded with honorary diplomas and letters of gratitude from the governor, the Legislative Assembly of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East.

The delegates of the congress are working at discussion platforms on sustainable development of indigenous ethnic minorities of the North in social sphere and in preservation of traditional economic activity, summing up the results of discussions, listening reports of the chairman of the management and the president of the association “Yamal is for descendants” and electing the president of the Association.

Photos can be found here: https://sever-press.ru/2019/11/22/eshhe-30-let-ili-uzhe-30-let-associacija-jamal-potomkam-otmechaet-jubilej/