Pomors press for the status of indigenous people.

The National Cultural Centre “Pomor Renascence” prepared all documents necessary for recognition of Pomors as indigenous people. At the end of the last year these documents were sent to the Federal Government and should be studied within the next three months. This activity is supported by the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Russia.

The “Pomors” is a distinguishing national name of the representatives of indigene ethnic community of the European North of Russia (the Pomor land - Pomorje). The name “Pomors” appeared approximately in XI-XII centuries on the south-west coast of the White sea and during XIV-XVI centuries spread far to the south and east from the place of its origin.

During the census of 2002 over 6500 people defined its nationality as pomors. Overwhelming majority of them live in Arkhangelsk oblast. Some years ago the pomors established public organization “Pomor Renascence” which quickly became famous by many actions like celebration of Pomor’s New Year (middle of September), publishing of the Pomor’s dictionary, appeals to the local and Federal Governments on protection of the rights of pomors communities. The organization takes an active part in preparation of traditional “Margaritinskaya Fairs in Arkhangelsk.

The new director of the famous museum Malye Korely Mikhail Lopatkin announced recently that the museum will position itself as a centre of pomor’s culture. He is going to activate cooperation with the museums of pomor’s culture existing in Norway, for example in Vardo (www.pomor.no). Historical ties of pomors with Northern Norway for several centuries were one of the factors of their development.

One of the tasks of the organization is support and development of fishing communities of the White sea coast which are now on the border of extinction. Recognition of pomors as an indigenous people will mean that they should get the rights of free use of bio-resources and territories of their habitation. Another important resource of development for pomors communities is promotion of ecotourism and traditional home crafts.