Although the event took place in April 2025, it continues to have significance for the Indigenous movement today. At the X Congress of the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East (RAIPON), a new president was elected and the priorities of the organization were discussed for the years ahead.
Below we share a detailed overview of the Congress and the key decisions that will shape the future of RAIPON and its work to protect the rights, culture and livelihoods of the Indigenous Peoples of the North.
The X Congress of RAIPON (April 25, 2025)
On April 25, 2025, the X Congress of the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East (RAIPON) was held. During Congress a new head of the organization was elected. It is the largest public organization in Russia representing the interests of minority groups of the population. It was established exactly 35 years ago to protect the rights and interests of 40 indigenous ethnic groups living in vast territories from the Murmansk Region to Chukotka. According to the All–Russian Population Census, their total number is 257,895 people. The Association is authorized to represent these peoples at the international and federal levels. The governing body of the association is the Congress, which is held once every 4 years. In the period between congresses, the organization's current work is managed by a Coordinating Council, which includes the heads of 33 regional public organizations from all 28 subjects of the Russian Federation where indigenous peoples live. The Presidium consists of the President, the First Vice-President and the Vice-Presidents of the Association.
Activities and Mission of the Association
The association's activities contribute to solving social and economic problems, environmental issues, cultural development and education. The Association is working to ensure the rights to protect the native habitat and traditional way of life of the indigenous peoples of the North, as well as to ensure their right to self-government in accordance with national and international standards of human rights. The Association is based on territorial and territorial-ethnic principles. It is based on the regional members of the Association, who have organizational and financial independence. The Association maintains close relations with its regional offices, coordinates their activities to implement the decisions of the governing bodies of the Association, and helps them resolve all issues.
Decision-Making and Support Structures
The tasks that need to be solved are submitted to the Coordinating Council, which meets twice a year to discuss current work. Special events are organized for the Association's members, such as advanced training courses in management, seminar on human rights, and discussion platforms.
Cooperation With Government and Legislative Work
The Association, in cooperation with the Chambers of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Government and the Administration of the President of Russian Federation, ministries and departments, participates in the work on legislation designed to ensure the rights of indigenous peoples, the preservation of their way of life and the development of the economy.
International Cooperation and Status
The Association promotes international exchange and cooperation. This public organization has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The association is an active participant in the sessions of the UN Working Groups on Indigenous Issues and the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as sessions of the Commission on Human Rights and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). The Association is a Permanent Member of the Arctic Council, established by 8 Arctic countries: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Canada, the USA and Russia. The Association's experts participate in various working groups and programs of the Arctic Council.
The Association has observer status in the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum).
The Association has observer status with the Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Culture of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Leadership of Grigory Ledkov
For 13 years, the Association was headed by Grigory Ledkov, a representative of Nenets people of Yamal. Prior to his public work, he was the director of a reindeer breeding enterprise. Thanks to this, he is well aware of the needs of the nomads of the Arctic and the life of the peoples of the North in general. Over the years, Ledkov's team has been directing efforts to improve the lives of reindeer herders and fishermen, presenting legislative initiatives and raising topical issues in government agencies such as Federal Agency for Fisheries, the Federal Agency for Nationalities, the Ministry of Development of the Far East and the Arctic, and others. The result of Mr. Ledkov's activity was the introduction of such a tool for recording indigenous minorities as the Register of Indigenous Peoples. In order to receive the benefits that indigenous representatives are entitled to, it is necessary to confirm their status. There were problems with this, since such records are kept in all regions of Russia. But getting benefits is vital, as the state allocates quotas for fishing, reduces the retirement age and other types of benefits for the indigenous peoples. 
Ledkov made a report on the activities of the RAIPON at the grand opening of the congress. He spoke about the legislative work done. Ledkov said: "We have managed to stop the trend of removing the norms of protection of the rights of indigenous peoples from the legislation." As an example, he cited the status of specially protected natural areas of traditional nature management. Grigory Petrovich also noted the positive changes in the work of the association during his leadership. Among them is a reduction in the land fee rate to 10 kopecks per hectare and marks on the hunting ticket. In 2021, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognized the right of all indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation to receive a mark in the hunting ticket "Hunting in order to ensure the conduct of a traditional lifestyle and the implementation of traditional economic activities is carried out freely (without any permits) in the amount of hunting resources necessary to satisfy personal consumption".
Ledkov stressed that the changes made to the Federal Law on Communities have made it possible to effectively combat the phenomenon of "false community". In some regions, communities were established by non-indigenous peoples, and then engaged in fishing and marketing fish.
The creation of Interdepartmental commissions under federal ministries and in the regions was an important result of the work of Ledkov's team. Many issues can be discussed and resolved at these advisory bodies.
Delegates and the Election of a New President
The congress was attended by 233 delegates from 33 public associations of indigenous minorities. The delegates of the congress assessed the activities of the association as satisfactory. "A lot has been done, but more needs to be done," they said. The indigenous peoples of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Region have nominated Alexander Novyukhov as a candidate for the post of president of the Association. He was the head of the Association of this region «Salvation of Ugra» for a long time. Alexander Novyukhov has extensive experience in public activities in this complex region, where the bulk of the Russian Federation's oil is produced and it is necessary to regulate the interaction of industrial companies and indigenous peoples.
Andrey Metelitsa, a young leader from the Kamchatka Regional Association, has been nominated as an alternative candidate for the post of president of the RAIPON. According to the results of the voting, A. Novyukhov won 199 votes, and the representative of Kamchatka – 16.
Priorities of the New Leadership
In his keynote address, Alexander Novyukhov shared his vision for the future work of the Association. Thus, he considers it a priority to expand the powers and strengthen the expert potential of regional organizations. The Association should continue to participate in the development of regulatory decisions concerning the lives of indigenous peoples and develop collective legal support. A. Novyukhov stressed that the development of traditional industries should be part of the state's economic strategy with priority access to financial support measures. He also noted the importance of international cooperation, including participation in UN forums and other international organizations, which contributes to the professional development of indigenous peoples.
The candidate stated that he would involve young people in management processes through the work of councils, internships and support for initiatives. Novyukhov noted the importance of a transparent and clear structure of the association with regular reporting and the use of modern technologies for decision-making.
Cultural Program of the Congress
As part of the cultural program of the congress, national collectives and performers from Ugra, Yamal, Tuva, Yakutia, Chukotka, Krasnoyarsk and Magadan Region performed at the anniversary concert.
Looking Ahead
The Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation has elected a new leader who intends to develop the effective dialogue of the indigenous peoples of Russia with the state, with the industrial enterprises, with the indigenous peoples of the world. We have a lot in common, as the purpose of our lives is to preserve the cultural heritage and lifestyle of our ancestors in a traditional environment.
Source: RAIPON
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