For the first time ever at climate change negotiations, representatives of Russia's indigenous peoples organised an entirely separate pavilion in the 'Climate Generation' zone, located in the immediate vicinity of Le Bourget, the venue of the recent negotiations in Paris.
Residents of the Altai, Chukotka and Kamchatka regions—as well as representatives from a whole host of regions and republics of the Russian Federation—presented photo exhibitions and films. They held tasting sessions of the cuisines of indigenous people of Russia's Far North and Far East (largely fish, porridge from buckwheat or oatmeal, as well as berry juice and other delicacies). Folk songs were sung and circle dances were held, as well as demonstrations of how to make household items—such as combs—from fish bones.
Bur representatives of indigenous communities did not come to Paris just to bring their food and folk songs: they also had stories to tell.
