Cases

Nests, laptops, tourism and leisure: uncovering the program to support indigenous peoples

In 2020, Nornickel adopted the program to support the indigenous peoples of the North. Since then, residents of the Taimyr Peninsula have had access to economic and social benefits. The needs of indigenous communities have been identified through ethnographic evaluation.
Nornickel and its Polar Branch have allocated RUB 2 bn in the budget to deliver the program. This money will be used for quality of life improvement of indigenous peoples across seven areas, including economic activities, housing, healthcare, culture, tourism, education and community projects.

How RUB 2 bn is distributed across seven action areas

Program costs in four of the seven areas in detail.

Culture: the importance of maintaining the native language

The program provides for construction of community centers. Volochanka and Kheta will inaugurate the new facilities before the end of 2024, and in Nosok, the largest reindeer herding village, construction has just begun and is set for completion in the fall of 2025.

To preserve indigenous languages, Nornickel supports the development of language nests. It is a learning program where young children, from infancy, are fully immersed in an indigenous language. A nest like this exists in Volochanka:

The local kindergarten interiors feature designs that promote traditional culture, pictures on walls and lockers in the changing rooms show daily life of the Dolgans and Nganasans, toys are made of reindeer horns, bird feathers and bones. Children play traditional games and study in native languages.
To protect indigenous cultures, in 2022-2024 Nornickel provided support for:

  • Uyage Orook folk festival in the Khatanga village;
  • Ethnic Nomad Camp celebration;
  • International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples;
  • Anniversary Regional Youth Forum of Indigenous Peoples of the North;
  • ‘Voice of the North’ regional writing contest;
  • Language Nest marathon among educational organizations;
  • annual celebrations of the Reindeer Herder’s and Fisherman’s Days.
The culture protection needs and other concerns of indigenous peoples are identified by the Coordinating Council of Indigenous Communities of the North, founded in 2021. It is comprised of officials from Nornickel’s Norilsk Division and leaders of 57 indigenous communities proposing their own solutions and projects. Since the foundation of the Council , 23 projects totaling RUB 300 mln of investment have been completed.
ANFISA NIKIFOROVA,
Head of Relations with the Indigenous Minorities of the Polar Branch:

“We maintain an ongoing constructive dialog with indigenous communities and coordinate all our actions with the locals on a mandatory basis.

We don’t wait to be approached but drive out to centers of economic activity in nomad camps, because home is the only place for local residents where they feel free to openly claim how they want to live and develop”.

Education: how many computers do Taimyr schools need?

In 2022, the Nornickel purchased 100 laptops for six schools in Dudinka and a school for Potapovo and Karaul students, spending about RUB 4.5 mln on equipment and software.

Computer classrooms in 11 village schools have been equipped by Nornickel, including Dikson, Volochanka, Kheta, Nosok, Novorybinsk, and Khatanga. The students can now use computers, projectors, screens, web cameras, speakers, and a full package of equipment needed for satellite internet and Wi-Fi access.

Under the Students of Taimyr program which is part of the program to support social and economic development of Taimyr indigenous peoples, 53 students have been able to enter the Norilsk State University. Their tuition, commute and accommodation expenses are covered by the company. The program participants also get to take extra courses and receive monthly scholarship of RUB 20k.

Tourism: Ust-Avam to become tourist center of Taimyr

For indigenous peoples, tourism is a way to preserve their traditional livelihood practices and make extra money. Construction of an ethnic visitors’ center is now being completed in Ust-Avam village, designed to become an iconic landmark of Taimyr. This will be the place for visitors to get to know the living conditions, culture and art of the Taimyr indigenous peoples and the life in the Arctic.

The visitors’ center will be a cultural and educational facility for local residents, as well. The project will create permanent and seasonal jobs in the village and on the Taimyr tundra. Nornickel has allocated RUB 56 mln for the construction of the visitors’ center.

Other socially significant projects in Ust-Avam include a RUB 4 mln bathing complex built in 2022 and attended by up to 150 people on a daily basis. It is a fully autonomous facility with a steam room and showers; whisks are supplied by local residents. The bathing complex has every chance of attracting tourists.

Community projects for the World of Taimyr contest

The initiatives eligible for Nornickel’s support are selected on an annual basis in a contest under the World of New Opportunities program. Usually, cultural projects prevail among winners. In 2023, the Oloktook community initiated a volunteer movement to develop leisure activities in the Potapovo village. The Kokhun community organized a public space to teach traditional crafts to children in the Kresty village.
NIKOLAY UTKIN,
Director of Nornickel Polar Branch:

“Our goal is to secure the right for protection, support and promotion of languages, traditions and rich culture of the peoples prominently represented by the ethnic groups of Taimyr. These goals do improve the conditions for people right where they live. And our programs to support the indigenous peoples of Taimyr embrace these goals.

We are perfectly aware of the difficulties faced by Taimyr indigenous communities. So, in addition to our big programs, we deliver charity initiatives on a private basis and maintain an ongoing dialog with the communities. I am sure that, through a joint effort, we will continue to solve all the problems of Taimyr residents”.
The article “Fishing, housing and medical center quotas: the mechanism behind the indigenous peoples support program” summarizes progress across the remaining three areas: traditional economic activities, housing and healthcare.
Photos by Nornickel
September, 2024
2024-09-30 14:45 Social Taimyr Local communities