Anna Otke: “Chukotka is rich not only with natural resources, but also cultural variety”

The Tribune program and Vladimir Nesterov start a new series 'From Kamchatka to the Kaliningrad region'. And today Vestnik Kavkaza’s guest is a representative of one of the Far Eastern regions of Russia, the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Senator Anna Ivanovna Otke. 

- The Chukotka Autonomous District is one of the largest Russian regions and its size  holds 7th place in Russia, so that means it is a pretty significant territory and generally an interesting region. Tell us more about the features of the Chukotka peninsula.

- Chukotka is indeed a very unique region, and the fact is that this is a border region. Chukotka is situated at the end of the Eurasian continent and the Chukotka autonomous district held the International Date Line and within the borders of the region a new day begins. So when we are told that Chukotka is the edge of the Earth, we do not agree with this, of course, we say that Russia begins with Chukotka, we are the beginning of Chukotka.

- As a border area this is quite an interesting region. As I recall, it is not that easy to get there, you need to get permission from the border authorities.

- That's right, it is not that easy to get there. There is a certain order and we have the ability to come both by detachment and as a tourist. It is an open enough region, but there are certain procedures. We really occupy 7th place by territory among the regions of the Russian Federation, with a total area of ​​737 thousand square kilometers, and listeners could imagine how vast this region is, just imagine the territory of both France and Britain

- Among other things, this is one of the most interesting geopolitical regions, because it is the only region which borders the United States.

- Yes, there is just a 4 km distance between our islands and Small and Big Diomede and the USA.

- And are there any opportunities for the residents of Chukotka to travel to Alaska  in a simplified way, for example?

- Yes, for a long time we were working on a visa-free travel agreement for the indigenous people between the Soviet Union and the US. This agreement is old enough.

- Is it successfully practiced?

- Yes. It is very popular among the citizens of Chukotka, citizens of the Russian Federation. There is lightly less interest among the Alaskans. On average, during this time about 2 thousand people have visited the United States. It's pretty simple mechanism to get the resolution and it is still in effect and very popular, as between the indigenous residents of Alaska and Chukotka there are close and warm relationships.

- Let's talk about the legislation related to the Chukotka Autonomous District. These are changes prepared for the Federal Law "On the territories of traditional nature of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East". What kind of changes are these and why are they needed?

- The fact is that the law you are talking about, the Federal Law "On the territories of traditional nature of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East" was adopted in 2001, but so far it has not been implemented in connection to the mechanism which has been developed for its implementation. It was not clear who was responsible for what, and in what way, what steps should be taken to ensure its work. And if in the regions such areas of regional significance were formed, here in that time no federal territory of traditional nature was created.

So the bill, which has been developed on the basis of the Federation Council  since last year, was sent. Why is this law interesting? We as the developers, the members of the working group, first of all, are trying to organize the definitions that have not yet been adopted in our legislation. And that is very interesting, we are trying to introduce the concept of those terms which are enshrined in the international treaties of the Russian Federation. That is, the so-called implementation of the norms of international law.

- In connection with this, a question about the implementation. If we consider it in a broad spectrum, does it affect the issue of the preservation of the cultural identity of the indigenous peoples of the North?

- Yes, definitely. Moreover, I want to say that this bill is synchronized with a bill which is currently going through its second reading in the State Duma, the so-called 'zoning' law. Since the original rules concerning the interests of the indigenous peoples were not affected by the bill, and now in the second reading this omission was overcome.

- Tell me, how acute is the question of preserving the identity of the peoples of the North in our modern world?

- If we talk in terms of legislation, we have a fairly progressive legislation of the Russian Federation in respect of the rights of the indigenous peoples, and the Russian Federation is almost the only country with a Constitution, the main law of which guarantees the rights of the indigenous peoples. And it is very progressive for our time. But, nevertheless, if we consider the rights of the indigenous peoples in general, we can distinguish three stages of development. One of them is actual vesting, a declaration is the second phase, and then development.

Unfortunately, at the moment, for a long time we have been able to say that it was a stagnation of the rights of the indigenous peoples, and during the last two years activity started on the development of various bills that will also solve the problems of indigenous peoples.

- And do you have any information about the number of ethnic groups in the territory of the Chukotka Autonomous District?

- Speaking of Chukotka, 19 indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation live there. But seven of them are indigenous peoples who have lived on the territory of Chukotka since ancient times.

- And what are the numbers? Do you have any data on the number of these people, as far as, say, which nation is the most numerous or the most numerically small?

- Yes of course. Unfortunately,  since 2008 we have no official statistics on indigenous peoples. I'll speak according to the  data, which I possess, which is possessed by the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Chukotka, by the way, I am the president of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Chukotka, and, according to our data, the Chukotka Autonomous District is a home to about 20 thousand of the indigenous peoples. This is about 40% of the total population of Chukotka. And, of course,  the Chukchi represent the greatest number of these peoples, about 15 thousand. Then a few of the large number of indigenous people are the peoples such as the Evens, the Eskimos and from then on ...

- By decreasing? ..

- Yes, in descending order. And least of all the kind of people ... Unfortunately, we may say, that this people is disappearing, I am talking about the Kereks. In 2010 only  4 people remained, who represent this people. Lost unfortunately ... and in general, lost people, unfortunately.

- But if it comes, for example, on the linguistic affiliation of these people, are these peoples of different language groups, or are there similar as well? 

- No, of course there are different linguistic groups, different cultures, different life. But the language still remains, like for those, and others, but, perhaps, the most used language at home is Even language, people are squeaking this language almost every day

- Well, but in terms of these endangered people,  was there any work to preserve their language, because in the end ... or cultural features, because sooner or later, we realize that they, too, will  go away, this unique culture, and the unique language?

- Yes, of course. Firstly, starting from last year, we have resumed in the Chukchi versatile college studies of the Chukchi language. For us, in general, this is a big breakthrough, because for the last few years  specialization in the preparation of teachers of the native languages has been closed. And since last year, this specialty was rediscovered. But the problem was not just in the complexity of the organization, there was a problem that we could not collect children. That is, the need for children to study their native language and it is lost, and in my opinion the biggest problem in the preservation of culture and identity, including language and it depends on indigenous peoples. And I never tire of saying that we have no one who prevent  us from using our native language in our homes, our traditions, in teaching our children.

- Is there interest in such studies, which you are talking about, from, say, well, the older generation, perhaps from more young people or adults?

- Language is usually stored there,where the traditional farming is preserved, that is, if you talk specifically about Chukotka, of course, reindeer, yes, that is in the tundra. As a rule, a living language is the most striking, it is stored in the tundra. We have developed a social movement among the indigenous peoples, and we understand that, as it depends on us, for the most part, and we need to propagate the language. And we have a variety of activities, which are held both by means of the government of the Chukotka Autonomous Region, and, in general, by the community members. There are events, where we are talking  completely in our native languages. This is very interesting, exciting. And so, we are reviving the language environment.

- And so you, of course, you are pushing the younger generation

- Yes, not only younger generation, but also other people. I want to say that our actions are joined, in general, and the representatives of other nationalities who are aware of themselves as real fans in the best sense of the word ‘’Chukotka’’.

- Let's talk a little bit about the industry of Chukotka. Such a huge region. Of course, it is fantastically rich. Tell us about what is it rich with, and tell us what the strengths and weaknesses of the Chukchi industry.

- Conditionally territory of Chukotka can be divided into the east and the west. If the agricultural  east mainly  can be represented in the form of the traditional sectors of the economy such as sea fishing, reindeer husbandry, in the west of Chukotka there are mined minerals. And what's more, I can say that despite the fact that in the last year we have a very reduced investment activities in connection with the sanctions, once again, in spite of this, we are among the regions that are  developing subsoil. And here  the extraction of gold is on the first place, which in recent years, pulled Chukotka from a very deep crisis. Specifically speaking, for example, in the early 2000s it was almost completely subsidized region. In 2008 the share of our own participation in the budget of the Chukotka Autonomous Region made 36%, and up to 2014, we have already reached 46%. This is a big breakthrough. Here, there is a  large share of the gold mining.

- Chukotka is one of the most interesting regions in terms of power consumption, because the Bilibino NPP is located in Chukotka. Firstly, one of the first commercial nuclear power plants in the Soviet Union, and secondly, probably the world's only nuclear power plant, which is built on a spring frost. However, as far as I know its life is coming to an end. Soon it falls into a state of decommissioning. How will the problems of a power consumption in Chukotka be solved?

- Yes, more than half of the entire Chukotka Autonomous Region is located above the Arctic Circle. And the Bilibino nuclear power plant that began to work  in 1974, has finished almost all its resource. It is planned that it will be closed in 2019, but in order to ensure  the demand for electricity in the region, I once again draw your attention that the western part of the Chukotka Autonomous Region is a territory, which produces and will produce minerals. Of course, it will be necessary anyway to ensure electricity in Chukotka and it has been decided that it is necessary to introduce replacement for the Bilibino. And in the Pevek city  a floating nuclear power plant, which will just cover all the needs, will be commissioned. Before the introduction of the Peveksky nuclear power station we found a mutual understanding with our neighbors, with our historically good friends, the Magadan region, which will help us to provide electricity through power lines.

- In terms of this variant of floating nuclear power plants Chukotka will again be among the first, as far as I know, it is generally the very first project in our country and in the world of floating nuclear power plants.

- Moreover, we understand that this is the safest form of power at the moment.

- Environmentally certainly because, of course, the coal, the gas-fired power plants have a significant environmental impact, opposed to nuclear electricity. Let's talk about tourism in Chukotka. As you mentioned today, there is such a possibility, despite the fact that this border region, too. Surely there are tourist features. So what shell people who are coming to Chukotka expect? 

- Wait, of course such  people  would need to use all the power of their bodies and strength of minds as Chukotka is a region for adventure tourism. We have a steady practice of ships entering our coastal village. So we have mainly foreign nationals who can enjoy a way of life of the indigenous people, magnificent nature and they have a very unique opportunity to visit the place where the polar bears are born, where there is a  hospital of the polar bears, on the Wrangel Island. But in my opinion Chukotka is a very rich with its very interesting place and its regional holidays, events, because, for example, anywhere on the territory of Russia  canoe regatta can not be seen, it is held in the summer in the Chukchi and Providence regions where sea hunters compete with each another passing 40 km. This is a very interesting sight and a very stunning holiday. Chukotka is a region, which is rich in its traditions of the dog sleds, which are still used. This is something traditional. But in my opinion, there are places that are not that popular, but nonetheless unique, such as the lake El'gygytgyn. It is located in the center of the Chukotka Peninsula, this is a crater lake, I think this offers a unique opportunity for a scientific tourism, as there are the endemic species, the endemic variety of fish and so on. Of course, what to say, it is the Wrangel Island, where there is the federal reserve. The place where the Alaska-Chukotka population of polar bears is born.

- How can the Russian citizen get to the Chukotka? Let's say I want to experience it for myself.

- Find out what the travel agencies propose, or through travel, that is easy enough.

- That is the only way, through the travel agency,  you can not go as a savage tourist. 

- Why? You can. We have an area of the ​​Bilibino district, which is free to access. And there is also a very unique place, because Chukotka is so huge and so different, and there is a lot to see on the territory of the Bilibino District, just on the territory where the nuclear power plant is located, where herders are living. And those people who are interested in ethno-tourism, may have more fun, touching the ancient traditions.

- We are with you in the studio of Vestnik Kavkaza, I can not ask you, have you visited the Caucasus?

- Yes, I was in the Caucasus last year, in Ingushetia in Magas, in  the city of  sun, there was a  conference of the Mothers' Union of the Russian Federation.

- This was your first visit?

- Yes, it was my first visit to the territory of Ingushetia.

- And what is your impression, what did you like more?

- My experience was certainly great. There are mountains,  there are very good people. Moreover, some of my ancestors were the Ingush, so of course I was very interested to get acquainted with the homeland of my ancestors.

I think the mountains accepted me, as I felt a very good attitude. And I realized that this is in a general a very warm region with excellent air, with a very healthy climate, it is human.

Those stereotypes that are prevalent in society have been completely destroyed after this trip. I saw absolutely beautiful, good people with a good attitude towards each other and to people from other regions.

I think that in general in Russia there is unfortunately a very little development of interregional cooperation. And it would be interesting just  to develop it, because we know not much about the way  people live in Siberia, they live in the Caucasus. We live each in his own region, unfortunately, this is wrong, because in Russia there are a lot of amazing and exciting places with its own history, for its beauty and uniqueness of nature, traditions are not inferior to other countries.