Online learners in Evenkiya will be taught native language digitally
Rewritten Article:
In the heart of Siberia, a unique online course to learn the Evenki language and culture is under development. This project is spearheaded with the support from the oil and gas company, "Vostsibneftgaz."
Designed primarily for indigenous youth living in remote villages and schools, the course will commence from September 1st and continue till the end of the following academic year. The curriculum, suitable for students from grades 4 to 11, consists of 18 modules, focusing on the Evenki language, history, unique culture, and art. The course content has been developed by scholars from the Humanities Institute and the Institute of the North and Arctic of SFU, who will deliver video lessons together with native speakers.
Scholars can learn at their own pace, but weekly knowledge checks with teachers are mandatory. For those eager to start, the course materials are already accessible. Recently, these materials have successfully been tested in Baikitskoye Middle School.
The project for the Evenki language and culture is made possible with the grant support from "Vostochno-Sibirskaya Neft negazovaya companiya" (a subsidiary of the Russian oil company Rosneft), which focuses on the exploration of the Yurubcheno-Tohomskoye oil and gas field in the north of the region.
Such initiatives form a crucial part of the social policy of the oil and gas industry, which is actively involved in numerous charity, educational, and scientific programs in the regions it operates.
Historically, the middle generation of Evenki people has poor understanding of their native language, leading to the inability to fully pass their linguistic traditions to their children. Grants from the oil and gas industry hope to rectify this situation for the youth, particularly considering the presence of many native Evenki speakers worldwide.
Interestingly, cultural and linguistic projects receive consistent support from VSNK. For instance, in 2022, researchers used funds from the oil company to create a study guide for the rare Ket language, spoken by a minority group with nearly 1,000 members, mostly residing in the Krasnoyarsk region. An electronic version of the Evenki-Russian dictionary "Evedy-Lucady Turkheeruk" was also released.
In total, the grant program "Vostsibneftgaz" has been operational since 2014 and includes significant projects such as the reconstruction of the Ethno-Pedagogical Center in Tura, the publication of the first Red Book of Evenki, the revival of the native Evenki breed of dog, and many others. These initiatives ensure the preservation of the unique national culture, traditional lifestyle, and distinct identity of the Evenki people.
Picture Source: VSNK
- The online course for the Evenki language and culture, supported by Vostsibneftgaz, also includes funding for projects focusing on sustainable living and education, such as the study guide for the Ket language and the Electronic Evenki-Russian dictionary.
- Beyond language learning, the grant program of Vostsibneftgaz supports initiatives in home-and-garden, lifestyle, and self-development, like the reconstruction of the Ethno-Pedagogical Center, the revival of the native Evenki breed of dog, and other significant projects.
- To further education, students can take advantage of the online-education offerings from the Evenki course and various resources generated by the program, which not only provide linguistic knowledge but also promote understanding of the culture and history, essential for a holistic approach to sustainable living.
