45 nationalities are included in the list of indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation (the Governmental order of the Russian Federation from March, 24th, 2000 ¹ 255 "On the list of indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation"). The population is about 200 thousand (less than 2 % of the total Russian population). Indigenous communities live in 30 administrative units in Caucasus, the European North, Siberia and the Far East.  About 80 % of natives of the North live in Yamal-Nenets, Khanty-Mansiysk, Nenets and Chukotskii autonomous regions. Arctic region is home to 12 indigenous nationalities: saami, entsy, nentsy, khanty, nganasans, dolgans, evens, chukchi, eskomos, kereki, yukagirs. Koryaks, selkups, chuvans, mansi, e.t.c, live at the territories adjoining the Polar circle. About 2 thousands inhabit Arctic coast. 5% of the indigenous population in Sakha republic live at coast, in Krasnoyarsk krai - 10%, Arkhangelsk oblast - 3%, Murmansk oblast - 66%, Tyumen oblast - 15%, Chukotskii autonomous region - 100%. Traditionally indigenous peoples are nomadic or seminomadic (~ 3 th. nomadic families). Those who live in large settlements are not engaged in traditional economy now.

National Strategy for biodiversity conservation tells about necessity to respect and preserve traditional knowledge. National legislation is formed in general, considers international norms and accounts dependance of indigenous peoples on their environment. The Federal Program "Economic and social development of indigenous peoples of the North up to 2011" has been developed and adopted. 

This section of our portal will publish documents, information and links illustrating activities in Russia under Article 8(j) of the Convention.