The subject of small ethnic groups has recently become one of the most popular ones in the world. Since the time of colonization human outlook on ethnic groups has changed in a drastic way, for 180 degrees. Nowadays people realize that the preservation of different ethnic groups is extremely important for the look of our planet in the light of social humanistic aspirations. Today society tries to recreate those unique ethnic cultures which were impudently invaded by so-called “civilized white people” who regarded their invasion as a touch of progress and enlightenment.
Letting the globe accomplish its circle, I stop it by putting my finger at a big spot in the North-west of Russia which is Chukotka. If one asks me why I have fancy for the peoples of Chukotka, my answer will be: ”Chukotka means survival”. Chukotka serves as a striking example of survival in severe natural and economic conditions. While touching upon the problems of cultural assimilation, such as disappearance of native language, of national upbringing, traditions and customs, I can’t but emphasize that the Chukchi have faced even a more basic problem than assimilation, and this is mere survival.
The ethnic groups of Chukotka are the Chukchi, the Eskimo and the Koryak; their main occupations,- reindeer breeding, fishing, whaling and hunting,- determined by hard climatic conditions of north area,- has molded during centuries a nomadic way of life of these peoples. But in 1920-es a new-coming Soviet Power decides to govern “northern savages” and to make them happier by bringing them through the centuries into a developed civilized socialistic community. Since it is much easier for the soviet regime to control them in one place than to seek out one by one all over Tundra, Chukchi peoples are removed by force from their places and gathered in villages and collective farmers. Despite draconian measures of ruling, there does exist a system which invests great sums of money into the development of the Far North.
In 1990-es the old socialistic system is broken, and Chukotka experiences the consequences of this crash.
Russia replaces its old economic structure by new market relations leaving its distant areas like Chukotka and many other isolated regions at their own disposal, or, bluntly speaking, throws them overboard. Detached from the Central Russia by thousands of kilometers of no roads, Chukotka experiences damages in almost all spheres of life. The salaries are not paid for years; the supply of food, medicines and building materials is scanty; people suffer from avitaminosis, drunkenness and depression; life expectancy decreases to 45-50 years. As for native kinds of trade like hunting, reindeer breeding and etc, they decrease drastically because of the lack of the means of transportation, veterinary aid and ammunition to protect the cattle from wolfs. If in 1991 the livestock is about 0,5 million, in 2001 it diminishes to 85 thousands. This is an overall picture of Chukotka of 90-es.
For the last two years the ray of hope has gleamed over the land of Chukotka. A new governor of Chukotka, Roman Abramovich(about his person a various rumours and legend are afloat, but in justice his advent brought a lot of positive tendencies, and his popularity have no borders in this region), brings Chukotka out of collapse. It is still early to speak of good life, but a moderate rise in economy and social life is felt.
Russia is a huge territory with inexhaustible treasures, and its main treasure is its people, multinational and long-suffering. 2003
