The event took place on the Day of Indigenous Peoples of Russia, which was established by Presidential Executive Order on November 4, 2025, and is observed for the first time this year.
Before the meeting, the President visited Znaniye.Heroes, an exhibition devoted to the heroes of the special military operation. Director General of the Znaniye Society Maxim Dreval and special military operation veterans Rodion and Kristina Puiko accompanied the President.
Held in Moscow at Manezh exhibition hall on April 28–30, Znaniye.The First educational marathon is dedicated to the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends, good afternoon.
Today, we are marking the Day of Indigenous Peoples of Russia for the first time. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to all of you and all the people of Russia on this occasion. Why do you think I am sending my greetings to all Russian citizens? In fact, no matter whether you belong to an ethnic majority or minority, all the peoples of Russia form a single family, and this is what makes us strong. Ethnic groups both large and small must all realise that this is our common home, our homeland. This is the only way we can feel confident and advance in a sustained and steady manner.
Our country is home to 47 indigenous peoples. Each of them is an integral part of Russia and its unique diversity and serves as a keeper of unique traditions, cultures, and ways of life. Each people, and each ethnic group that is part of Russia’s close-knit family of peoples represents our shared heritage. Preserving and supporting them, as well as ensuring their wellbeing, is essential to safeguarding and strengthening the unity of the nation as a whole.
Let me emphasise that Russia has historically emerged as a union of various peoples. We have been mentioning this often, but I think that repeating this message is absolutely appropriate on this day, so I wanted to emphasise this point.
I am looking at a married couple right now, since it embodies the very notion of a union, both literally and in a more figurative sense. The young wife comes from the Krasnodar Territory, while you are from the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area. People come together to form mixed families, which consolidates our unity.
At the heart of this union lies a respect for the values and unique identities of its various ethnic groups. From the time of our early explorers – Semyon Dezhnev and Yerofey Khabarov – the expansion of Russian settlers across the vast territories of Siberia, the Far East, and the North did not, I wish to emphasise, entail the suppression or destruction of the indigenous populations’ traditional ways of life. It is worth noting that we are well aware of the practices seen in certain other countries, where reservations were established and so on. Ultimately, these lands were incorporated into the Russian Empire not through conflict with indigenous groups, but through cooperation with them, and with respect for their customs and traditions.
I would also like to remind you that from the 19th century onwards – almost a century before similar developments occurred in, for example, North America – conditions were put in place to enable the education and enlightenment of representatives from various ethnic groups, including small-numbered ones. To its credit, the USSR continued this work throughout its modern history.
By the mid-1930s, following the establishment of the Institute of Northern Peoples, many indigenous languages had gained their own written forms. It was also in the 1930s that the first scholars, holders of doctoral-level degrees emerged from among these indigenous communities. Today, Russian regions are implementing educational programmes that cover 76 native languages of various groups, including indigenous ones. A comprehensive range of measures is also in place to support traditional livelihoods, such as reindeer herding, hunting, and many other activities.
I should add that during my visits to these areas, we spoke directly, without any media presence, with the people working there, including reindeer herders, and saw for ourselves how their daily lives are organised. It is a deeply fascinating way of life, and the people are very warm, kind-hearted, and dedicated to their work. They live in harsh conditions, without a doubt, and this inevitably leaves its mark on their character, their worldview, and the way they relate to one another.
Much is being done to ensure that those leading a nomadic lifestyle have access to a full range of modern medical, social, and educational services. To be honest, the people are not demanding – to their credit. They work hard, live in challenging conditions, and even a modest amount of attention from the state elicits a positive response.
On the whole, the efforts of the state aim to help small peoples to retain the traditions of their ancestors and to pass them on to new younger generations with due respect and care, and preferably in full volume. As you know, we are now implementing large-scale plans for the development of the Far East, Siberia and the Arctic. That said, the interests of the people, including those whose ancestors lived on these territories for centuries, are our absolute priority.
I should say that, when I discuss all projects with members of the Government and representatives of our major companies, I always draw attention to this, I say this with complete responsibility. If I am mistaken, then please, let me know, but, on the whole, I can see that the CEOs of our companies display complete understanding when we discuss the need to pay attention to the interests of the people who have been living on these territories for centuries, while implementing major and large-scale investment projects.
We will continue to implement all these infrastructure, industrial, social and environmental plans, projects and programmes in close dialogue with society and representatives of indigenous peoples.
I would like to emphasise once again that the universality and strength of Russia lie in its diversity. It seems that, as the popular saying goes, there is a snag here – extremely different cultures, customs and traditions exist together. But when all of them co-exist in a common space, understanding the value and importance of mutual collaboration, these individualities stop contradicting each other and become mutually complementary, creating a very powerful foundation for our common development. As I have already said, history, culture, customs and traditions are not absorbed but, on the contrary, supplement one another. We should continue to aspire for this.
People of the most diverse ethnicities, religious beliefs and lifestyles are united by their love and concern for their birthplace and for Russia. We have just spoken with young people who discussed the development of their birthplace with pleasure and pride. How long have you been away? For two years?
Roman Puiko: We have not been home for two years.
Vladimir Putin: You have not been home for two years, and you came back and saw changes for the better. But where did they fight, and for what cause? They fought for our common large Motherland. And this combination of love and a desire to support and to do everything possible for the development of our birthplace and our common large Motherland is very important. This is the main element of our worldview and of what unites us, including our readiness to stand up in defence of our birthplace and of our common, larger Motherland in a time of trial.
We know how courageously representatives of low-numbered indigenous peoples fought during the Great Patriotic War. They were rightfully honoured with titles of Hero of the Soviet Union and other high awards. One of the most prominent snipers who became known during the Great Patriotic War was a representative of an indigenous people of the North.
Today, men and women are honourably defending the interests of our common Motherland in the special military operation, fighting for our country, Russia, shoulder to shoulder with representatives of other ethnicities. I know that special military operation veterans are present here today. My sincere gratitude goes to you and your comrades for your service to the Motherland.
When challenges arise, the values of unity and mutual support always come to the fore, while courage, bravery and ability to overcome difficulties are set in the mentality of many indigenous peoples in Russia. Nature itself cultivates their endurance, polishing the character of those who live in harsh conditions for generations, century upon century.
I want to stress that this has always been the case. We have always achieved victories and success together, by uniting our efforts. The Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia is intended to highlight and strengthen the universal constructive role of such solidarity.
There are people here today who do a great deal to preserve national cultures and customs. You are actively supporting and developing the ideas of unity, including at the platform of the Znanyie (Knowledge) Society, as part of the “Znaniye. The First” educational marathon. I haven’t got a single doubt that, thanks to such proactive and caring people like you, the centuries-long history of Russian peoples will have a laudable continuation. It already continues and will continue in the future. And Russia will have a laudable continuation as our united Fatherland. We will achieve more success together.
Once again, congratulations to you, representatives of all the low-numbered ethnicities, and to all Russian citizens. As I said in the beginning, congratulations. Thank you.
Please. This is an informal event. I know that many of you are working on specific areas. Frankly, I looked up some background materials before this meeting. I enjoyed this read like a good book. I was delighted and impressed to know what you are working on, and it is not an exaggeration. I will be even more pleased to listen to you.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or requests regarding how we can support you, let’s discuss them. Please, go ahead.
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