Attitude of the Population to the Industrial Development of the Territories of Traditional Residence of Indigenous Peoples of the North (On the Materials of Ethnological Expertise in the Sadyn Nasleg of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia))

Abstract

The article examines the attitude of the population of the Sadyn national Evenk nasleg of the Mirninskiy district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to industrial development. The source for the study was the author’s field material collected as part of the ethnological environmental impact assessment; in particular, a sociological study that included questionnaire survey, expert and group interviews. The results of the study showed that the majority of the population has a negative attitude to the industrial development. Their concerns are related to the deterioration of the environmental situation and the reduction of land suitable for traditional farming and crafts. As a consequence, respondents are confident that the oil and gas exploration project in the territory of the nasleg will either have no effect on their social status and the nature of their work or will worsen their well-being. Positive expectations from the project are primarily related to the organization of new jobs and the improvement of the village. Respondents believe that the compensation of losses provided for by the ethnological expertise should be focused on each resident of the village. First of all, funds should be allocated for the construction of social facilities, training and employment of the youth of the village. Compensation payments should be annual. The research is aimed at solving social issues related to the industrial development of places of traditional residence of indigenous peoples. Recommendations in the search for compromise solutions are given.

Keywords

• indigenous peoples
• industrial development
• yakutia
• ethnological expertise
• field research