International Year of Indigenous Languagues

“Safeguarding” means measures aimed at ensuring the viability of the intangible cultural heritage, including the identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, enhancement, transmission, particularly through formal and non-formal education, as well as the revitalization of the various aspects of such heritage.

Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (adopted on 17 October 2003 by the United Nations General Conference on Education, Science and Culture)

Language is one of the most important factors of ethnic identity; it plays a significant role in shaping national character, preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

Today there are about 7000 languages worldwide. One language is disappearing on average every two weeks and, with it, part of human history and cultural heritage. For many years the world community is devoting special attention to preservation of languages, acknowledging their vital role in education, promotion of the identity as well as spiritual and moral relationship between the generations.

More than 190 nations live in the Russian Federation, of which 40 are indigenous minorities of the North, Siberia, and the Far East. Indigenous languages spoken by 4 percent of the world's population represent 96 per cent of linguistic diversity.

With a view to supporting and promoting indigenous languages, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. The main purpose of the activities taking place over the Year is to improve the public awareness about the condition of dying languages around the world, and to explain the link between language, social development, peaceful co-existence and conflict management.

Today, it is increasingly challenging to maintain traditional lifestyle and preserve the ethnic and cultural identity. In addition to the efforts of the state, linguists and cultural figures, great contribution to heritage preservation is made by business.

Respect for and promotion of human rights, taking vulnerable groups into account, is an indispensable part of Sakhalin Energy’s activities. The company operates on Sakhalin Island, where representatives of the four main ethnic groups live: the Nivkh, the Evenk, the Uilta, and the Nanai. Sakhalin Energy set itself the objective of fostering capacity building and sustainable development of Sakhalin indigenous minorities as well as preserving the unique culture and languages.

Since 2006, the key programme of the company in the field of relations with indigenous communities is the Sakhalin Indigenous Minorities Development Plan. The priority directions of the Plan are culture and education. Through these directions and other projects, the company supports the promotion of linguistic rights of indigenous peoples and contributes to preservation and development of native languages of Sakhalin indigenous minorities.

For the International Year of Indigenous Languages, a plan of events was developed to be implemented in Russia throughout the Year. For the effective and improved awareness of these events and, as a result, popularization and promotion of the linguistic heritage of indigenous ethnic groups, the official website of the International Year of Indigenous Languages has been established under the aegis of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs and with the support and participation of Sakhalin Energy.

Key Materials and Publications – 2019

Corporate calendar “Nivkh New Year: from A to Z”
Language Preservation Brochure

Key events – 2019

January – The opening ceremony of the International Year of Indigenous Languages in the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
February – Sakhalin Energy Shares Its Experience at the International Year of Indigenous Languages of Russia Forum
February – Symposium in indigenous languages was held in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
February – Revelations of the Soul
March – The company supported the launch of a web-site dedicated to the International Year of Indigenous languages
March – Presentation of the New Book by Vladimir Sangi, the First Nivkh Writer
March – Results of the Nivkh Alphabet Contest Summed up
April – Sakhalin Energy’s calendar 'Year of Nivkhs: from A to Z' and 2017 Sustainable Development Report won in a contest held by AKMR
April – Exhibition of a Sakhalin Artist Opened in the UN Headquarters
April – Sakhalin Experience Presented to the UN
May – Fairy Tales of Sakhalin in Moscow
May – Sakhalin Residents Took Part in the Conference on the Preservation of Indigenous Languages and Culture
May – Sakhalin Bilberries Were Spoken about at a Conference in Moscow
May – The Sakhalin Oblast Exposition at the Treasures of the North International Exhibition Won the Grand Prix
June – The Sakhalin Oblast Exposition at the Treasures of the North International Exhibition Won the Grand Prix
June – Regional Traditional Sports Competition Among SIM Children Has Started
July – 40th Anniversary of the Modern Nivkh Alphabet of Vladimir Sangi
August – Sakhalin Energy Representatives and Nogliki Teachers Held Demonstration SIM Culture Lessons
August – Tour of the Gulun SIM State Theatre of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Comes to an End
September – Key Takeaways of the 3rd International Folklore of the Paleo-Asiatic Peoples Scientific Conference: The Indigenous Culture Should Not “Turn into Wind”
November – The Second Mother Tongue Children and Youth Conference in the SIM Languages Held in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
November – I Draw Legends... Exhibition of Sakhalin Artist Veronika Osipova Opened in Geneva