The vast expanse of the Russian Federation, from the Kola Peninsula in the northwest to the Chukotka Peninsula in the northeast and Primorye in the east, has long been inhabited by the indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia, and Far East. The territory our peoples traditionally inhabited makes up more than one-half of the entire territory of the Russian Federation.

Our ancestors were the first to settle these bleak territories with harsh climatic conditions, and the names they gave to many of the geographical areas endure in present-day Russia.

Many of our peoples traditionally had a nomadic existence, hunting, fishing, reindeer herding, harvesting wild plants, raising stock, and reaping the bounties of the sea to maintain their families and communities. Today the majority has adopted a settled way of life, continuing traditional occupations and engaging in gardening, livestock breeding, animalfarming, and other types of economic activity. Our peoples have shared the peaks and valleys in this country's history with other Russian peoples S the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the present Russian Federation.

Nurtured by the older generations and encouraged by arts and cultural organizations, each ethnic group has preserved its own language and unique culture. Each has its own rich history that spans centuries and is preserved in the memories of its people. The period when our peoples joined the Russian state is particularly significant: each story is different; each has its tragic moments; and much is shrouded in mystery.