According to UN estimates, indigenous peoples now number about 370 million people. They live in more than 70 countries. There are more than 5000 different indigenous groups in the world. Indigenous languages account for more than 4000 different languages. Most of them are endangered.
In Ukraine, there are 3 indigenous peoples – Crimean Tatars, Karaites and Krymchaks. Unfortunately, their homeland, Crimea, was occupied by the Russian Federation in 2014. During this time, the occupiers have been trying their best to erase any connection between the indigenous peoples and the peninsula. One of the tools used by the Russian Federation is the renaming of the peninsula’s toponyms.
First of all, the Soviet authorities, and today the Russian government, did this in order to destroy the culture, language and history of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine, as well as their connection with their native land.
Moreover, as we can see, these names were invented in a hurry and certainly do not have any historical value. In contrast, historical place names in Crimea preserve the identity, culture and heritage of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine.
Ensuring the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples is an important part of the global struggle for justice and the preservation of the world’s cultural diversity. In particular, UNESCO plays an important role in protecting the rights and cultural values of indigenous peoples.
This organization recognizes the uniqueness and importance of indigenous traditions, languages and heritage and promotes the preservation of their national heritage.
Today, it is crucial to work on the restoration of the historical toponymy of Crimea, which is of great importance for establishing justice for the deported Crimean Tatar people, for whom it is vital to preserve their identity and history.
#decolonization _of Crimea’s_toponymy
The #LIBERATECRIMEA campaign was presented by the Crimean Tatar Resource Center as part of the Engage Program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact in Ukraine. The content of the campaign is the sole responsibility of Pact and its partners and does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the US Government.