OREANDA-NEWS. April 05, 2010. The Regional Centre of National Cultures in Salekhard held the XIX meeting of the Association of Indigenous Minority Peoples of the North of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District “Yamal – to descendants!”.

The YNAD leaders – the governor D.N. Kobylkin and the head of Legislative Assembly S.N. Kharychi – delivered the welcome speech.

The Department of R&D support of integrated development of Yamal fields and adjacent offshore areas (Salekhard) of Gazprom VNIIGAZ LLC delegated the head of Division of field tests and pipeline monitoring V.M. Rochev to participate in the meeting.

The participants discussed the following issues:

1. Cooperation of the Association with authorities of the autonomous district and municipal bodies and oil and gas facilities aimed at protection of rights of indigenous minority peoples of the North in their traditional locations of residence.

2. Development of programs aimed at preservation of languages and ethnic cultures, traditional and non-traditional economic activities, education, health care, environmental protection, traditional management of natural resources of peoples of the North. 

3. Development of proposals concerning management of land and natural resources of indigenous minority peoples of the North, ensuring possibility of free long-term use of lands and traditional natural resources, assessment and compensation of damage to traditional habitat and life stile.

4. Adoption of practical measures aimed at organizational strengthening of municipal and regional branches of the Association, establishment of youth branches.

5. Cooperation with regional associations of indigenous minority peoples of the North, Siberia, the Far East of the RF, international and social organizations and political parties.