Shors, Member and co-founder of the International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia Yana Tannagasheva stresses that it is always necessary to remember that indigenous peoples are custodians of the land.
‘Claiming the right to self-determination, one of the fundamental rights reflected in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, is becoming very difficult and dangerous for Russian indigenous peoples. Today it can be regarded as extremism and terrorism. To demand and seek free prior informed consent, the right to consultation, to claim rights to their territories, and to speak about their collective rights, namely the preservation and development of their communities – both in Russia and in many other countries – is extremely dangerous for indigenous people. Not only on Indigenous Peoples‘ Day, but always, we need to remember that indigenous peoples are custodians of the land,’ – she said.