International Day of World's Indigenous People marked in Sakhalin

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People, which was established by the UN General Assembly in 1994 as part of the Indigenous People's Decade (1995-2004), is marked in Sakhalin (Far East).

The local lore museum hosted a conference on genealogy and historical aspects of the development of the Nivkh ethnic group, said the Sakhalin administration. Nivkh writer Yevgeny Gudan (Khabarovsk Territory) took part in the conference.

The national cuisine day, sports competitions and a beauty contest were also held in Sakhalin.

The ethnic sports and health center Cheotik (it means 'little fish' in the Nivkh language) saw ethnic sports competitions and a children's performance.

An ethnic sports championship will be held in the Sakhalin region from August 21 to 23. These events are also timed to coincide with the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, although they will be held later because most Sakhalin people are now busy with salmon fishing.

All in all, 3,500 representatives of the Nivkh, Orok, Nanai and Evenk ethnic groups live in Sakhalin.