Axiological Foundations of Eco-Spiritual Values of Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic

Abstract

Covering one sixth of the planet's surface and experiencing global climate change, the Arctic is a place where indigenous peoples' lifestyles, eco-spiritual values and unique flora and fauna species are reproduced. Planetary humanitarian thought centres around the Arctic Ocean, metaphorically referred to as the modern Mediterranean. The challenge is to recognise the spiritual and intellectual heritage of Arctic indigenous peoples in the modern development of Arctic resources and to introduce their eco-spiritual values into the educational process. Ecospiritual values are based on a worldview that recognises the spiritual interconnectedness of man and nature, and promotes the sustainability of the ecosystem in all its diversity of natural and human spheres. The aim of our study is to identify and reveal the axiological foundations of the ecospiritual values of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic that are significant for intercultural and intercountry communication in the northern circumpolar zone of the planet. The work uses Indigenous Methodology, the method of system analysis and synthesis, and empirical research in the Khatango-Anabar region was carried out using a combination of quantitative and qualitative sociological methods (standardised questionnaire survey, non-formalised interview, psycholinguistic experiment). Ecospiritual values have been identified, based on the ethno-cultural model of the relationship with Mother Earth, co-synchrony with natural and climatic features and co-spatiality of ecospiritual connections in the habitat, geopsychic and spiritual connections with sacred places, where there is inter-conjunction of cosmic, earthly and natural phenomena with ecospiritual values of man.