1960 photo of a Russian Inuk out hunting with his dog. 
From "Dogs", published by Barbara Woodhouse. 
Photograph by Bavaria Verlag.

The Russian Connection

Reading the February 16th internet version of the Nunatsiaq News, I came across an article describing the desperate situation of the people of the Chukotka region in Arctic Russia.  Denise Rideout reported that the Canadian Office of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) as well as the North Slope Borough of Alaska were planning to donate hunting, fishing and trapping supplies so that these Chukotkan Inuit could harvest traditional food to eat.  There have already been reports of deaths due to starvation.  Apparently with the Russian economy in such bad shape, assistance to the region has been cut off. Villages have gone days in winter without heat or electricity and villagers with government jobs haven't been paid in years.  It is hoped that short term humanitarian aid will be replaced by new programs. There is newly elected political leadership in the region which is taking an interest in helping these aboriginal people.  Additionally, the ICC and the "Russian Association of Indigenous peoples of the North are working together to start a multi-million dollar, multi-year program in the Russian Arctic that will train indigenous people."

Of course, the rescue of the Russian Inuit people is of preeminent importance, taking precedence above all other regional issues.  However, I can't help but reflect on the plans of the Russian Restoration Center for Northern Dogs to visit the region in hopes of finding examples of pure Inuit Dogs to use for the development of a breed restoration project (see Fan Hitch volume 3, number 1, November 2000).  If their undertaking could be successful,  and specimens eventually returned to their origins, Russian Inuit could return to the survival ways of the past,  teaching the younger generations the old ways. I hope it is not too late to rescue both the people and their dogs.

These events are still unfolding. 
 

Wishing  you  smooth ice and narrow leads.

                                     Sue