Nomadic family

New Law on Nomadic Family Finally Been Adopted in Yakutia

Photo by Yuri Kokovin, 2014 at Iengra ,Yakutia

After a long struggle in Sakha Republic (Yakutia) a new law on Nomadic Family in Sakha Republic was finally adopted on June 15, 2016. The State Assembly (Il Tumen) of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) for the first time made it protected by law – the definition of nomadic family and nomadic way of life, which will allow indigenous peoples of the North to use their constitutional rights.

It took many years to bring the draft law on approval of the Yakutian  State Assembly. Acccording to the law, nomadic family is a family that lives and migrates on nomadic territories and reindeer pastures throughout the whole calendar year for the sustainable and rational use of food, water, biological and hunting resources. 

Voice of a young reindeer herder about nomadic family

Facing the second reading of the draft law “On Nomadic Family” in June 2014 in Yakutsk, we decided to publish a short article where young reindeer herder from Iengra village (south of Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia) expresses his concern about reindeer herding families and the future of traditional knowledge:

Reindeer herders in Yakutia talk about the Law “On Nomadic Family”

Maria Pogodaeva. Photo by YASIA

The draft law “On Nomadic Family” was adopted in the first reading on April 14, 2010. Now, four years have passed. In June this year, the Standing Committee on Arctic Indigenous Peoples of the State Assembly (Il Tumen) of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) will introduce a revised draft for the second reading. The Working Group of this project included scientists, representatives of public indigenous organizations, ministries and departments.