Sardana Nikolaeva

Sardana Nikolaeva, an indigenous anthropologist, and Masha Kardashevskaya, a scholar of peace and conflict studies, explore the intricacies of indigenous methodologies. They discuss the ethical responsibilities of researchers, emphasizing empathy in understanding indigenous communities. The conversation highlights the complexities of legal recognition, cultural practices, and the environmental challenges these groups face. Additionally, they critique traditional ethnographic narratives and advocate for insider perspectives, while also promoting their upcoming multilingual podcast aimed at bridging cultural gaps.

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.

Sardana Nikolaeva, a postdoctoral fellow, discusses the misconceptions and lack of recognition faced by the indigenous people of the Sakha Republic. She explores the Sakha people's adaptation to the Arctic climate and their traditional mode of subsistence. The influence of political prisoners on changing perspectives of indigenous peoples is also discussed, along with the cultural development of the Sakha people within the Soviet Union. The voting patterns in the speaker's region and the complicated relationship between Indigenous people and central Russia are also explored.