A senator from Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (KhMAO) covering oil companies now heads RAIPON, the organization meant to protect the rights of Russia’s indigenous peoples. The Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East has been advocating for indigenous rights for thirty years. However, over the past 15 years, its “advocacy” has increasingly meant collaboration with extractive companies.

The organization, which should protect the rights of the indigenous peoples of Russia, was headed by a senator from the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug who protects oil workers. The Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation has been protecting the rights of indigenous peoples for thirty years. However, over the past 15 years, by this “protection” representatives of the Association increasingly mean cooperation with mining companies.