Rusik Iñupiat Nunaat Collection of Inuit Treaties: Grand Collection of INUIT Treaties, #1

By Ho Giustino

The Russian Inuit, known as the Rusik Inupiat or Big Diomede Islanders, have a unique and complex history deeply intertwined with the Arctic landscape and the changing political dynamics of their region. Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring human spirit, marked by significant treaties and agreements that have shaped their lives. Once inhabitants of Big Diomede Island, which lies in close proximity to the United States' Little Diomede Island in the Bering Strait, the Russian Inuit faced challenges due to geopolitical shifts during the 20th century. These shifts led to their relocation to the Russian mainland, a pivotal moment in their history that saw the displacement of a close-knit community from their ancestral lands. Among the key historical agreements that have impacted the Russian Inuit is the Bering Strait Treaty of 1867. This treaty, marking the sale of Alaska from Russia to the United States, had significant repercussions for the indigenous communities of the region, including the Russian Inuit. It ushered in a period of change and adaptation as their traditional territories came under new jurisdiction. In more recent times, the Russian Inuit, like their counterparts in other Arctic regions, have navigated the complexities of autonomy and self-determination. The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, where many Russian Inuit now reside, has its own history of treaties and agreements that recognize the unique cultural and territorial rights of indigenous peoples, including the Chukchi and Yupik. The recognition of Chukotka's autonomous status and the negotiation of agreements that empower its indigenous inhabitants are ongoing processes, reflective of the region's evolving political landscape. These treaties provide a framework for addressing the complex challenges of cultural preservation, resource management, and self-governance in the Russian Arctic.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ho Giustino
• Release date: Nov 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223544814

Book preview

Introduction

Throughout history, the Inuit people have embarked on a remarkable journey towards autonomy and self-determination, marked by significant treaties and agreements. These pacts, forged through resilience and determination, have shaped the cultural, political, and territorial landscape of Inuit communities across different regions, including Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and beyond. The Inuit Treaty Project is a dedicated platform that invites you to explore the rich tapestry of these treaties, offering a comprehensive glimpse into their historical context, full text, and key provisions. Join us on this enlightening journey as we delve into the legacy of these agreements, celebrating the enduring spirit and strength of the Inuit people.

Treaties of Inuit

-Russia (Rusik Iñupiat Nunaat)

■  Charter of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (CCAO): 1997

-Alaska (Iñupiat Nunaat)

■  Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA): 1971

-Canada (Inuit Nunangat)

■  Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA): 1984

■  Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA): 1993

■  James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA): 1975

■  Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement (NILCA): 2008

■  Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement (EMRLCA): 2012

■  Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement (LILCA): 2005

-Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat)

■  Greenland Home Rule Act (GHRA): 1979

■  Greenland Self-Government Act (GSGA): 2009

Rusik Iñupiat Nunaat

Russia

Rusik Iñupiat Nunaat

Rusik Inupiat Nunaat

The Russian Inuit, known as the Rusik Inupiat or Big Diomede Islanders, have a unique and complex history deeply intertwined with the Arctic landscape and the changing political dynamics of their region. Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring human spirit, marked by significant treaties and agreements that have shaped their lives. Once inhabitants of Big Diomede Island, which lies in close proximity to the United States' Little Diomede Island in the Bering Strait, the Russian Inuit faced challenges due to geopolitical shifts during the 20th century. These shifts led to their relocation to the Russian mainland, a pivotal moment in their history that saw the displacement of a close-knit community from their ancestral lands. Among the key historical agreements that have impacted the Russian Inuit is the Bering Strait Treaty of 1867. This treaty, marking the sale of Alaska from Russia to the United States, had significant repercussions for the indigenous communities of the region, including the Russian Inuit. It ushered in a period of change and adaptation as their traditional territories came under new jurisdiction. In more recent times, the Russian Inuit, like their counterparts in other Arctic regions, have navigated the complexities of autonomy and self-determination. The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, where many Russian Inuit now reside, has its own history of treaties and agreements that recognize the unique cultural and territorial rights of indigenous peoples, including the Chukchi and Yupik. The recognition of Chukotka's autonomous status and the negotiation of agreements that empower its indigenous inhabitants are ongoing processes, reflective of the region's evolving political landscape. These treaties provide a framework for addressing the complex challenges of cultural preservation, resource management, and self-governance in the Russian Arctic.

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Charter of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

Preamble

With amendments and additions from:

March 5, June 30, December 24, 1998, May 5, 1999, April 4, October 4, 2000, February 21, March 1, June 29, 2001, January 29, August 21, November 29, 2002, May 23, 2003, May 5, November 29, 2004, February 16, April 5, December 2, 2005, February 7, May 22, October 20, November 24, 2006, April 24, June 8, July 30, December 13, 2007, June 6, July 22, December 18, 2008, February 24, October 1, December 17, 2009, February 15, April 12, October 20, 2010, May 26, October 10, December 2, 2011, March 12, June 6, October 8, November 27, December 27, 2012, April 30, June 13, July 4, December 5, 2013, March 24, May 30, June 30, December 15, 2014, March 30, May 5, September 28, October 13, December 17, 2015, March 14, April 25, May 31, September 12, November 7, 2016, February 27, April 25, 2017.

Adopted by the Duma of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug on October 29, 1997.

Information about changes:

By the Law of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of June 6, 2008, No. 67-OZ, amendments have been made to the preamble of this Charter, which come into force from the date of official publication of the said Law.

See the text of the preamble in the previous edition.

The Duma of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, expressing the will and interests of the population of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, guided by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, showing respect for the history, traditions, and culture of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Russian Far East, living in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, recognizing the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug as an integral part of the Russian Federation, aware of its responsibility for the socio-economic, political, and cultural development of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, taking into account the unique natural resources and the need for their rational use in the interests of the entire population of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, adopts this Charter of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug and proclaims it as the state-legal basis for the socio-economic, political, and cultural life of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.

Foundational Provisions

Chapter I. Basic Provisions

Article 1. Status of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (hereinafter referred to as the Autonomous Okrug) is an equal subject of the Russian Federation and is a direct part of it.

Information about changes:

By the Law of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of June 6, 2008, No. 67-OZ, amendments have been made to part 2 of Article 1 of this Charter, which come into force from the date of the official publication of the said Law.

See the text of the part in the previous edition.

The status of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug as a subject of the Russian Federation is determined by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the Law of the Russian Federation of June 17, 1992, No. 3056-1 On the Direct Inclusion of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in the Composition of the Russian Federation, and the Charter of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (hereinafter referred to as this Charter).

Information about changes:

By the Law of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of June 6, 2008, No. 67-OZ, amendments have been made to part 3 of Article 1 of this Charter, which come into force from the date of the official publication of the said Law.

See the text of the part in the previous edition.

The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is the ancestral place of residence of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Russian Far East (hereinafter referred to as indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North).

The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, as a subject of the Russian Federation, exercises its own legal regulation outside the scope of the authority of the Russian Federation, joint authority of the Russian Federation and subjects of the Russian Federation, including the adoption of laws and other normative legal acts.

The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug has the social, economic, and political independence of a subject of the Russian Federation and establishes its relations with the subjects of the Russian Federation based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and observance of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Information about changes:

By the Law of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of June 29, 2001, No. 25-OZ, part 6 of Article 1 of this Charter is stated in a new version.

See the text of the part in the previous edition.

In accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the federal constitutional law, the status of an autonomous okrug can be changed by mutual agreement between the Russian Federation and the autonomous okrug.

Article 2. Rights and Freedoms of Man and Citizen

A person, their rights, and freedoms are the highest value.

In the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the rights and freedoms of man and citizen established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, and norms of international law are recognized and guaranteed.

Article 3. Protection of the Rights of Indigenous Small-Numbered Peoples of the North

On the territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, universally recognized principles and norms of international law, and international treaties of the Russian Federation, the Charter guarantees the inalienable rights of indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North.

Information about changes:

By the Law of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of June 29, 2001, No. 25-OZ, Article 4 of this Charter is stated in a new version.

See the text of the article in the previous edition.

Article 4. Popular Sovereignty

Citizens of the Russian Federation residing in the territory of the autonomous okrug exercise their authority in the autonomous okrug directly through referendums, elections, as well as through the bodies of state authority and local self-government of the autonomous okrug.

Article 5. Territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

The territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is unified and is an integral part of the territory of the Russian Federation.

The boundaries of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug include territories that were administratively subordinated to the autonomous okrug at the time of the entry into force of this Charter.

Article 6. Chukotka Autonomous Okrug within the Russian Federation

The sovereignty of the Russian Federation extends to the territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.

Information about changes:

By the Law of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of June 6, 2008, No. 67-OZ, amendments have been made to part 2 of Article 6 of this Charter, which come into force from the date of the official publication of the said Law.

See the text of the part in the previous edition.

The division of areas of competence and powers between the bodies of state authority of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug and the bodies of state authority of the Russian Federation is carried out in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, the Federal Treaty, and other agreements (agreements) on the division of areas of competence and powers.

Article 7. Relations of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug with Other Subjects of the Russian Federation

The relations of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug with other subjects of the Russian Federation are established in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, and this Charter.

Within their competence, the bodies of state authority of the autonomous okrug have the right to conclude agreements and agreements with the bodies of state authority of other subjects of the Russian Federation. They may also, in a coordinated manner, combine material, financial, informational, and other resources, create joint coordination bodies, appoint authorized representatives, and open information and cultural centers in the subjects of the Russian Federation.

Information about changes:

By the Law of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of June 6, 2008, No. 67-OZ, amendments have been made to Article 8 of this Charter, which come into force from the date of the official publication of the said Law.

See the text of the article in the previous edition.

Article 8. Foundations of the Legal System of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

The foundation of the legal system of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug consists of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal legislation, this Charter, and the legislation of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.

Article 9. Operation of Federal Laws in the Territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

Laws and other normative legal acts of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (hereinafter referred to as the laws and other normative legal acts of the autonomous okrug) cannot contradict federal laws adopted in areas within the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and in areas of joint jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. If a law or other normative legal act issued in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug completely or partially contradicts a federal law, the federal law applies in full or in the corresponding part.

In case of contradiction between a federal law and a law of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, issued in areas that are beyond the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation, areas of joint jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the law of the autonomous okrug applies.

Article 10. Separation of Powers

State authority in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is exercised on the basis of the separation into legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The bodies of legislative, executive, and judicial authority are independent.

Article 11. System of State Authorities of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

The