Valentina Sovkina: This reminds me of an unequal marriage
Sovkina V.V., Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 22.02.2025 Lately, I have written little and rarely write about public events in which I participate and my opinions on them. However, I want to talk about this particular event, as it…
‘Extermination of Entire Nations’: Scientist Maria Vyushkova Counts Russia’s Indigenous War Dead
On her YouTube channel, Maria Vyushkova describes herself as “a scientist by profession, Buryat by ethnicity” and “anti-war and decolonial activist by the sphere of social engagement.” In the three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Vyushkova, who holds a Ph.D. in chemistry, has…
Ironic notes on legitimacy, among other things…
Hearings on enhancing participation of indigenous peoples at the UN Human Rights Council have concluded recently in Geneva. These hearings are part of the process of implementing decisions of the UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples held in 2014. For reference, the World Conference…
The European Parliament Discussed the Issues of Indigenous Peoples
On February 4, 2025, the European Parliament in Brussels hosted a discussion titled “Land Exploitation, Oppression of Peoples: Discrimination and Persecution of Indigenous Peoples of Siberia, the North, and the Far East.” This event was organized by the Anti-Discrimination Center “Memorial” (Brussels) in collaboration…
The U.N. and Indigenous Peacebuilding: An Untapped Partnership
In December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution advocating for the inclusion of Indigenous peoples in peace agreement negotiations, transitional justice processes, conflict resolution, mediation, and constructive arrangements. This move underscores the recognition of Indigenous communities’ unique contributions to peacebuilding. …
Russia’s Supreme Court designated 172 indigenous groups as “terrorist” organizations
On November 22, 2024, Russia’s Supreme Court designated 172 indigenous groups as “terrorist” organizations, alleging their involvement in promoting secession and supporting Ukraine’s military efforts, as announced by the Prosecutor General’s Office. Authorities assert that these groups function as “structural subdivisions” of the Free…
“Listening to comments from Russian opposition experts about yet another live broadcast featuring Putin (I haven’t watched those broadcasts in years), I was reminded of a story from about 10 years ago.”
United Russia was holding a meeting in Khabarovsk. Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny first called it the “party of crooks and thieves.” Putin was in attendance. It was yet another staged gathering of subordinates meeting their “tsar.” This event featured not only crooks and…
Prologue: How Our Indigenous North Was Fractured
I would like to express my gratitude to those who proposed the idea of producing this series and who discussed and brought this idea to life. And many thanks for the invitation to share my thoughts on the ongoing processes that impinge upon scientists,…
Indigenous Peoples Reach Unanimous Agreement on Defining the Just Transition and Provide Principles and Protocols to Eliminate Harm from Renewable Energy and ‘Green’ Development
“For Indigenous Peoples, a just transition means exercising our own forms of territorial governance according to our traditions and ways of life.” –Indigenous Peoples Principles and Protocols for Just Transition October 23, 2024 – Nearly 100 Indigenous leaders from the seven socio-cultural regions of the…