05.05.2025
On April 30, the “Treasures of the North” exhibition in Moscow hosted the presentation of the Interactive Atlas of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East. It is a unique digital platform developed by the Russian Association of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples in cooperation with RSUH.
“We must be the ones to leave the right digital trace about ourselves and our people,” said Nina Veisalo, Vice President of the Association, during the presentation of the Atlas, held as part of the 20th International Exhibition-Fair Treasures of the North: Artisans and Artists of Russia – 2025.
The Atlas is the result of extensive teamwork involving scholars, ethnographers, programmers, and indigenous community members. According to project coordinator and RSUH Associate Professor Anton Panov, all content was verified and approved by representatives of the indigenous peoples themselves. This makes the platform not just an ordinary database but a truly “living” one.
The platform includes over 40 ethnocultural profiles, descriptions of languages and traditions, cartographic data, photos, and videos. The maps in the Atlas are interactive and users can compare population distribution data from as early as the 15th century by choosing historical layers and visualizing changes that took place over time.
Particularly valuable are sections created by initiative from the indigenous peoples themselves:
A key feature of the Atlas is its well-developed feedback system. Users, whether they be researchers or indigenous representatives, can send comments, suggestions, corrections, and materials directly via the website or social media. This keeps the platform open, adaptable, and responsive to updates or corrections.
