Next week November 29 – December 3 Salekhard, which is in Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district in remote Russian Siberia, will host Arctic Council’s Senior Arctic Official Meeting, which will be the first plenary meeting under the Russian chairmanship. 

In the framework of the meeting reindeer herders, Arctic indigenous youth and the Arctic Council SDWG EALLU project contributors, all together up to 30 participants, will meet for the first time since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic and will have four intensive and rich days to work together, discuss issues of traditional knowledge, cook traditional food together and enjoy the Yamal tundra life.

Preparations are ongoing, family of reindeer herders from the Khanty indigenous minority of Yamal - Yana and Sergey Kondygins, are awaiting guests and already set up reindeer herding camp near Salekhard.

The Arctic Council EALLU workshop will include gathering of indigenous youth from Sápmi, Yamal and Yakutia to discuss importance of traditional knowledge, indigenous languages, Arctic food systems, there will be a trip to tundra and working with reindeer, and workshop will conclude with the Arctic Reception for the SAO participants prepared by indigenous chefs and youth.

Organizers are the Association of World Reindeer Herders, International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry, UArctic Institute for Circumpolar Reindeer Husbandry and Department of International and External Economic Relations of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District

Photos of preparations by Pavel Lanovoi, Yamal, 2021