Historiographic review of indigenous peoples research for the years 2014-2018

Abstract

The indigenous peoples today are in the focus of the researchers’ attention. However, this interest has not been the same throughout the years, which is proven by the comparison of the early and current definitions of the indigenous people term: it has greatly evolved from paternalism, arising from the modernization plans of colonialism, to the opposite process of decolonization and acknowledgement of their right for preservation of their unique original culture, integrity of the values, practices and institutions. This determines the interest for the indigenous peoples of representatives of various spheres of study. The present article provides a review of research of the indigenous peoples, carried out in the years 2014-2018, to reveal the main tendencies in the studies of the indigenous peoples of the North. The review outlines the main issues the modern researchers are concerned about. Firstly, this is the problem of preserving ethnocultural identity, which, according to the researchers, is solved through art, traditional social practices and crafts, mythology and the original landscape. This issue is followed with social problems the indigenous peoples confront in the process of global transformations in their traditional lifestyle: related studies point out such spheres as health service and social inequality. Researchers are also engaged in studies of economic and legal problems, related to the traditional economic activities of the indigenous peoples of the North, their dialogue with the government and mining industry. The last but not least, there is the climate change problem that influences not only the lifestyle of the indigenous peoples, but also their physical and mental health. Russian research is dominantly focused on the problem of preserving the unique culture of the indigenous peoples and their communication with the state and businesses; foreign researchers are more concerned about the social wellbeing of indigenous peoples, and, particularly, in the issues of health service (Canada) and social abuse (USA).