Guerrilla History Indigenous Diamonds of Russia's Sakha Republic w/ Sardana Nikolaeva
Mar 28, 2025
Sardana Nikolaeva, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto and expert in indigenous anthropology, dives deep into the complex relationship between the Sakha people and diamond mining in Russia. She explores the historical and political landscape of the Sakha Republic, examining how extractivism impacts indigenous identities. The conversation highlights the ramifications of economic sanctions, the illusion of autonomy amid resource wealth, and the socio-cultural dilemmas faced by indigenous communities as they navigate the diamond industry.
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Diamond Mining Origins
- Diamond mining in Sakha began due to US sanctions on the Soviet Union, which cut off access to industrial diamonds.
- The Soviets, needing diamonds for military and technology, began searching domestically and found gem-quality deposits in Sakha.
Diamond Industry Shift
- During Soviet times, diamond mining was nationalized, with profits going to central Russia and then De Beers.
- After the Soviet Union dissolved, Sakha nationalized Alrosa to benefit the local population, creating employment in cutting and polishing.
Indigenous Recognition in Russia
- The Sakha people, indigenous to the Sakha Republic, are not federally recognized as Indigenous in Russia due to population size exceeding 50,000.
- Russia uses a unique numerical criterion for Indigenous recognition, unlike international standards.