Native Inhabitants Research Articles

Agent-Based Geosimulation of Yayoi Period Population Dynamics in Kyushu, Japan

Current scholarship in Japanese archaeology recognizes the people and culture of the Yayoi period as being descended from both continental migrants (Toraijin) and the native inhabitants (Jomon people). However, the number of migrants that came to Japan and the degree to which they were directly responsible for the development of Yayoi culture is a topic of debate. Using northern Kyushu as a case study, the author employs an agent-based simulation based on geospatial data to model the spread of population, rice agriculture, and continental genetics during the Early Yayoi period. Multiple simulations are performed with varying parameters related to migrant population size, marriage customs, and the ratio of men to women amongst migrants to test their effect on the demographics of the Yayoi period. Simulation results were compared to population estimates and the distribution of mitochondrial DNA in order to determine their validity. Experiment 1 showed that the average number of continental migrants was likely in the order of magnitude of 10s of people per year (approx. 40 to 50) during the first 500 years of the Yayoi period. Experiment 2 demonstrated that polygyny can lead to increased population growth and aids in the spread of continental genetics, but without more rigorous evaluation criteria it is difficult to conclude whether it was practiced during the period. The methods used in this study demonstrate how agent-based simulations can model realistically sized populations moving through geographic space by basing simulation inputs on geospatial data and population estimates.

Kenneth Jack and rural towns: Australian socialist realist art (or just a less bitter pill to swallow)?

Early Australian artists of European extraction had to wrestle with the vast, inhospitable climate of inland Australia, unfamiliar animals and plants, and harsh sunlight. To a greater or lesser extent, especially Boyd and Drysdale, they also considered the Aboriginal inhabitants and how Europeans’ grip on the land and their understanding of it always paled in comparison with theirs, leaving the Europeans the ones out of place, infringing on a complex culture. Here, I use Marxist theories of ideology and art to examine the work of Kenneth Jack, an Australian realist painter of rural towns. His reassuring images are not confrontational, unlike those of Boyd and Drysdale. They can be ideological by pointing to an apparently timeless and tranquil midday peace, free from urban stressors and manufacturing and architectural blight. As with poet Banjo Paterson, they create a discourse that raises up life in “the bush.” These images can function as ideology where rural communities and services appear to be underappreciated and under threat. It is a conservative vision as the absence of people and vehicles reminds us, perhaps paradoxically, of romanticized rural communities just out of the painter’s sight.

Genotypic spectrum of ABCA4-associated retinal degenerations in 211 unrelated Mexican patients: identification of 22 novel disease-causing variants

The purpose of this study was to analyze and molecularly describe the largest group of patients with ABCA4-associated retinal degeneration in Latin America. Pathogenic variants in ABCA4, a member of the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters superfamily, is one of the most common causes of inherited visual deficiency in humans. Retinal phenotypes associated with genetic defects in ABCA4 are collectively known as ABCA4-associated retinal degenerations (ABCA4R), a group of recessively inherited disorders associated with a high allelic heterogeneity. While large groups of Caucasian and Asiatic individuals suffering from ABCA4R have been well characterized, molecular information from certain ethnic groups is limited or unavailable, precluding a more realistic knowledge of ABCA4-related mutational profile worldwide. In this study, we describe the molecular findings of a large group of 211 ABCA4R index cases from Mexico. Genotyping was performed using either next generation sequencing (NGS) of a retinal dystrophy genes panel or exome. ABCA4 targeted mutation testing was applied to a subgroup of subjects in whom founder mutations were suspected. A total of 128 different ABCA4 pathogenic variants were identified, including 22 previously unpublished variants. The most common type of genetic variation was single nucleotide substitutions which occurred in 92.7% (408/440 alleles). According to the predicted protein effect, the most frequent variant type was missense, occurring in 83.5% of disease-causing alleles (368/440). Mutations such as p.Ala1773Val are fully demonstrated as a founder effect in native inhabitants of certain regions of Mexico. This study also gives us certain indications of other founder effects that need to be further studied in the near future. This is the largest molecularly characterized ABCA4R Latin American cohort, and our results supports the value of conducting genetic screening in underrepresented populations for a better knowledge of the mutational profile leading to monogenic diseases.

Impact of windcatcher on the thermal comfort and indoor air quality in a modern house

ABSTRACT As the residential construction sector grows more quickly than other building sectors in Oman and other GCC nations, the proportion of total energy consumption in housing rises. The native inhabitants have implemented various strategies to enhance the thermal conditions in structures. The windcatcher was one of those methods used in hot climates when it was vital to achieve thermal comfort. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used in this research to find the best orientation of a windcatcher attached to a modern house in Muscat. In addition, thermal comfort and indoor air quality based on CO2 concentration were also studied. This paper tries to fill the gap in research on using windcatchers with modern houses and find the best design for such windcatchers. Results indicate that placing a windcatcher with a rotation of 30° from the north towards the east will give better air velocity than a windcatcher with angles of 0°, 45°, and 60°. Furthermore, it was found that the windcatcher improved the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) by 34% and the Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfaction (PPD) by 48%. In addition, a modern house with a windcatcher reduced CO2 concentration by more than 5% compared to a house without a windcatcher.

‘I Was Part of Minority Group’: Youth’s Attitude Towards Multiculturalism and Their Awareness of Being an Intercultural Citizen

ABSTRACT This study explored the Indonesian youth’s attitude towards multiculturalism and their awareness of being an intercultural citizen. The research methodology adopted a qualitative method with a questionnaire as the research instrument. The Indonesian youth come from varied backgrounds. Thematically, the data were analysed based on race, ethnic, religious and other cultural issues particularly attitudes towards multicultural state, diversity and awareness of being an intercultural citizen. The findings provided that the youths’ attitudes are quite varied and tend to have a positive attitude towards a broad concept of multiculturalism, whilst when the concept provides real-life cases, there is a possibility for them to respond negatively. The youths also have significant awareness in responding to the idea of coexisting in diversity, however, there is a possibility to reject the concept of intercultural citizen and have a positive attitude towards a multicultural state at the same time. Thus, some factors might affect youth’s attitudes towards multiculturalism which are colonial legacy, political situation, deeply embedded concept of native inhabitants and socio-religious issues. Ultimately, the backgrounds of the youth need to be considered as those have a big influence on the way they see and define both concepts.

Marine Turtle Identification, Sightings, and Nesting Area Mapping in Batanes Province, the Philippines

The Batanes archipelago – a province designated by the Philippine government as a protected area – possesses abundant marine resources and diverse ecosystems that serve as optimal habitats for marine turtles to forage, reproduce, and nest. Ivatans, the native inhabitants of Batanes who are also indigenous peoples, possess knowledge of the existence of marine turtles in their coastal waters; however, published reports are still unavailable. This study provides significant data on species identification, observations, and the distribution of nesting areas across the province. This study presents novel findings, revealing that green sea turtles Chelonia mydas and hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata thrive in the coastal waters of Batanes. A household survey using a semi-structured questionnaire (n = 90), 48 key informant interviews, and site monitoring were utilized as data collection methods and examined using descriptive data analysis. We randomly selected respondents from the household surveys from each municipality and pre-identified key informants based on their roles in each municipality (e.g. government officials, fisherfolk leaders). Likewise, 45% of the respondents claimed that they usually encounter marine turtles a few times a week, specifically during their fishing operations. The mapped nesting sites showed a wide range across the province; three were already established by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. The data gathered, and findings of this study serve as a basis for local resource managers – particularly in implementing initiatives for sustainable management, conservation, and protection of marine turtle biodiversity in Batanes. Before developing conservation and management strategies, involving the community in decision-making is crucial to address potential concerns – significantly when a specific ethnic group such as the Ivatans on Batanes Island – is affected.

Impact of Invasive Ageratina adenophora on Soil Fungi in Native Plant-Grown Soils in Nepal

Invasion of alien plants impacts both the above- and below-ground communities. The specific response of soil microbes to alien plants may depend upon the presence of native inhabitants and the origin of the byproducts released from different parts of invasive plants. This study evaluated the response of common soil fungi against Ageratina adenophora byproducts (extracts) in the presence of two native shrubs, Elsholtzia blanda and Osbeckia stellata, in Nepal. A total of eight fungal species were isolated from soils where these two native species were grown separately, and the occurrence of the fungi was evaluated. The occurrence and frequency of fungus species varied with extracts of A. adenophora leaves, litter and roots as well as with the presence of specific native plants. Particularly, A. adenophora further inhibits the fungi that are naturally less frequent in soil, like Hormodendrum sp. and fresh leaves and litter of A. adenophora were responsible for inhibiting antagonistic fungi like Trichoderma harzianum. Influence in below-ground fungal communities by A. adenophora is one of the reasons for poor growth and development of native seedlings and the mechanism could be a strategy of invasion of A. adenohora in novel areas.

The Signs of Mental Life: Understanding the Impact of Transculturalism on the Primitive Landscape in Selective Judith Wright Poems

A unique interpretation of land, which influenced and continues to influence human relationships with the Earth. Societies are not sensitized to the natural world in ways that affirm indigenous modes of being and knowing. Indigenous cultures and life ways need to be valued, especially traditional environmental knowledge which includes fire management, regenerative agriculture and climate adaptation. The primitive inhabitants adore carrying over their structural pattern of living style, stereotypes of culture, rituals, tradition and beliefs to the upcoming generation via carvings, rock art, body markings, folk lore and sermons in the ceremonies. The term ‘Migration’ created magical revolution among the innocent nomads. As a result, non – indigenous settlers pollute the landscape, customs and traditions and culture of the indigenous people. Aboriginal inhabitants are still living and preserving their cultures despite the deleterious effects of loss through oppression and settler colonialism. This article analysis the aboriginal intense feelings of searching for identity, disability, quest for the past, oppression in the hands of the white officers and the non – English – speaking immigrants through the selective poems of Judith Wright.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants used by Native Inhabitants of Protected Area of District Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants used by Native Inhabitants of Protected Area of District Solan, Himachal Pradesh

The Myth of Vilnius and Its Revision in the Diaries of Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas

One of the key figures of the Lithuanian-speaking intellectual elite, Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas (1893–1967) formulated the programme of cultural nationalism, and he himself was inspired by the interwar political rhetoric. The “question of Vilnius”, which was instigated by the mobilised patriotic forces, was identified as crucial problem for the existance of the state. In his diaries of the 1938–1945, the writer and academician responded enthusiastically to the fulfilment of the political vision of the “eternal capital” in September of 1939. He cared for the reinforcement of ethnic Lithuanian cultural positions during the struggle of totalitarian regimes in 1940–1944. Some connotations of geopolitical imperialism can be seen in the diary, when the diarist insists on the urgent “re-Lithuanisation” of the public sphere. When in 1940 Mykolaitis-Putinas a well-acknowledged professor of literary studies, finally moved to the city, which has been so clearly visualised in the collective imagination for several decades, he familiarised himself extensively with the topography and cultural heritage of Vilnius. On the one hand, he never felt a stranger in the heterotopic territory; on the other hand, he seldom expressed tolerance towards the native inhabitants of the city. In the newly gained capital, Mykolaitis-Putinas tried to save the ethnocentric institutions of cultural memory (Institute of Lithuanian Studies, museums and archives preserving Lithuanian heritage). He supported the main Lithuanian-dominated cultural and educational institutions, such as the reformed Vilnius University, the Philharmonic, and the Academy of Sciences.

Last Remnants of the French Wild West: Remembering “Colorado” (1990)

Few settings are as quintessentially American as the Wild West. In games, the myth of the American frontier is the myth of American expansion. This myth explores, sometimes with enthusiasm, at other times with a tinge of regret, the conquest of the “wilderness” with its Native inhabitants and wildlife, and its replacement by “civilization” represented by settlers and railroads. Yet, European expansion on the frontier is not exclusively an Anglo-American story. It was the French explorers, traders, and trappers that first set out westward (and southward) along the rivers from Canada and the Great Lakes. The French experience of the frontier was radically different: for them, with the limited resources of their soon-to-be-sold colonial empire, the wilderness was effectively untameable, its Native inhabitants unconquerable: it was thus a place of permanent danger, where one might, with equal probability, eke out a living, earn a fortune, or simply perish. Only once has the French West appeared in a digital game, in Silmarils’s Colorado (1990). This paper examines Colorado as an artefact of French game development in the 16-bit era, as a unique depiction of the forgotten French West, and, finally, as a 2D predecessor of today’s sprawling 3D open-world games.

『조선왕조실록』에 나타난 ‘백정(白丁)’

Before the start of the Joseon Dynasty, nomads from various ethnicities entered the Korean Peninsula from the north. In the early Joseon Dynasty, the scattered inhabitants in the country, who were either the northern nomads or their descendants, began to be called Baekjeong. During the Joseon Dynasty, Baekjeong were primarily engaged in animal slaughter, leather manufacturing, crafting daily necessities from willow trees, and traveling to different villages to provide entertainment. To facilitate the integration of the Baekjeong with the natives, officials of the early Joseon Dynasty implemented several civilization policies, including allocating land for farming, registering them in the family register to encourage settlement, etc. Despite these efforts, Baekjeong were originally commoners but faced discrimination due to their status as outsiders in the early Joseon Dynasty, as they could not easily abandon their nomadic lifestyle. However, following the Imjinwaeran and the Byeongjahoran, the term Baekjeong underwent a change in meaning, evolving into a discriminatory label for individuals who no longer belonged to nomadic descent, but only worked in menial occupations such as slaughter and organic manufacturing, in a situation where they were completely assimilated with the native population. Baekjeong had the identity of northern nomads in the early Joseon Dynasty, but they played a significant role in shaping present-day Korean people through their assimilation with the native inhabitants of the Korean Peninsula.

A Biographical Sketch of Malaya's Colonial ‘Amateur’ Historians

In comprehending nineteenth-century British imperial activity in the Malay states, economic reasoning, especially capitalist expansion, is conventional. This essay argues, in general, that imperialism was also an intellectual effort. During the colonial period, colonialists produced (in)valuable historical accounts, books, and travelogues, providing insight into Malaya’s native inhabitants and history, despite being amateurs. Historical events are vividly pictured, as are colonisers' perceptions of the region, its inhabitants, and its history. Considering these were very subjective and personalised, this article offers a background check on the colonial authors, who were travellers and administrator-scholars, as a prelude to analysing their work.

A Biographical Sketch of Malaya's Colonial ‘Amateur’ Historians

In comprehending nineteenth-century British imperial activity in the Malay states, economic reasoning, especially capitalist expansion, is conventional. This essay argues, in general, that imperialism was also an intellectual effort. During the colonial period, colonialists produced (in)valuable historical accounts, books, and travelogues, providing insight into Malaya’s native inhabitants and history, despite being amateurs. Historical events are vividly pictured, as are colonisers' perceptions of the region, its inhabitants, and its history. Considering these were very subjective and personalised, this article offers a background check on the colonial authors, who were travellers and administrator-scholars, as a prelude to analysing their work.

His Body Will Appear in All of the Mirrors: Explaining Christian Doctrine to the Nahuas in the 1548 Doctrina Christiana

After the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, the first groups of friars arrived in Mexico to Christianize the native inhabitants of Mesoamerica. This task was anything but easy, as explaining Christian doctrine to the Indigenous people posed both a linguistic and a theological challenge. The need to learn Indigenous languages and to prepare doctrinal materials dedicated specifically to the Christianization of this land was a task that might have seemed almost impossible to conduct in a short period of time, yet by the 1540s, the first printed catechisms (doctrinas) in Nahuatl began to appear. One of the earliest and broadest of these works is the 1548 Dominican Doctrina Christiana en Lengua Española y Mexicana, in which the friars attempted to explain all of the principles of Catholic theology to the Indigenous people. This paper analyses how through highly detailed descriptions and a meticulous choice of vocabulary, the authors strove to impart the tenets of Christian doctrine to the Nahuas in such a way as to make it both fully understandable and as unlikely as possible to be misinterpreted. It points to the sources on which the friars relied while writing the text. The article formulates a theory that the creation of the Doctrina Christiana would not have been possible without the participation of the native speakers of Nahuatl in the project, even though their role in writing the catechism would have had to be hidden from the religious authorities. The Indigenous authors served as cross-cultural bridges in the process of preparing the doctrinal materials. On the one hand, they could therefore help to explain crucial parts of the doctrine to the Indigenous audience. On the other hand, allowing Indigenous concepts to permeate the Christian discourse often led to the creation of ambiguity and provided a space of contestation that could influence the understanding of the Catholic concepts by the Indigenous audience.

Methanolic root peel extract of Potentilla fulgens L. shows anti-proliferative activity on root meristematic cells of Lathyrus sativus L. and antiamoebic activity on trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica

Native inhabitants of North-East India traditionally use Potentilla fulgens as a folk remedy for various diseases, including intestinal parasitic infections. P. fulgens root extract is enriched with catechin, afzelechin, fulgic acid and gallic acid like anticancer compounds. The cytotoxicity of P. fulgens root extract was confirmed on various human cancer cell lines. The potency of plant-based assay systems is increasingly apparent for the primary screening of plant extracts with cytotoxic effects. Various anti-proliferative activity assays utilizing the cell cycle attributes of Lathyrus sativus have been studied against different anticancer drugs and plant extracts. However, further validation of those plant extracts' cytotoxicity on human cancer cells is required for benchmarking plant-based assay system with classical methods based on malignant cells. Here, we have shown the effect of P. fulgens methanolic root extract on L. sativus root tip cells to revalidate the assay system. A significant reduction in the mitotic index was observed upon treatment of the L. sativus seeds with the plant extract. The extract caused reversion of colchicine induced polyploidy of L. sativus root cells comparably with anticancer drug cisplatin. Additionally, in silico interaction studies of catechin with the human DNMT1, anticancer drug target, and plant MET1 enzyme were performed. Our result showed that crucial residues important for catechin binding were conserved in the orthologs despite of their evolutionary divergence. This study also revealed that the treatment of 700 μg/ml of methanolic extract retarded the growth of Entamoeba histolytica by 60 % with a change in trophozoite shape compared to control indicated potential antiamoebic activity of the extract.

Challenging the Immigrant Health Burden Myth: A Comorbidity Analysis in Navarra, Spain - APNA Study

Abstract Background Anti-immigrant arguments often claim that immigrants burden healthcare systems due to increased health problems and healthcare utilization. This study challenges this assumption by comparing the health status of immigrants and native inhabitants using the Charlson comorbidity index, aiming to demonstrate that immigrants are healthier and will use fewer healthcare services. Methods The APNA cohort study includes all inhabitants of Navarra, Spain, with a population of 661,023. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 503,392 adults. The Charlson Index was computed as a comorbidity measure. The Mann-Whitney U test compared the index between immigrants and native Spaniards, and quantile regression examined the relationship between immigrant status and Charlson Index, adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Results Of the population, 18.4% were born abroad. The average Charlson index was higher in Spaniards (1.55, SD = 1.89) than in immigrants (0.45, SD = 0.93; U-Mann-Whitney p < 0.001). The quantile regression showed that, after adjustment, the Charlson Index was higher in Spaniards than in immigrants by -0.071 (95%CI 0.066-0.077). Conclusions This study contradicts the myth that immigrants burden healthcare systems. Immigrants in Navarra, Spain, are healthier and have lower comorbidity indexes than native inhabitants. Public health policies should consider these findings to promote evidence-based approaches and challenge misconceptions about immigrants’ healthcare utilization. Immigrants in Navarra, Spain, are healthier than native inhabitants, debunking the myth that they burden healthcare systems. Public health policies should consider these findings for evidence-based approaches and challenge misconceptions about immigrants’ healthcare utilization. Key messages • Immigrants in Navarra, Spain, are healthier than native inhabitants, debunking the myth that they burden healthcare systems. • Public health policies should consider these findings for evidence-based approaches and challenge misconceptions about immigrants’ healthcare utilization.

Ethnic Clashes in Manipur: Conflict against Subaltern Subjugation

The Manipur is now in a hotbed of violent ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kukis. The ethnic clashes begun after the verdict given by Manipur High Court. The honorable court urged the state government to recommend the proposal to the Union Ministry to consider the ST tag to the Meiteis. The All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) organized the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ on 3rd May to protest against the High Court verdict. Demographically the Meiteis are the majority with 53% population but not considered as native inhabitants. Therefore, they constantly demanded the Schedule Tribe status. But the other tribal communities opposed the inclusion of the Meiteis as tribal or ST status. The state government role was not active to control of the situation.

Социокультурная ситуация в селах Провиденского городского округа Чукотки глазами их жителей по полевым материалам 2021 г. Часть 1

Introduction. Due to remoteness, limited accessibility and ethnocultural uniqueness, Chukotka used to be — and still is — a particular region of Russia. In Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the nationwide and specifically ‘northern’ political, economic, social and cultural processes are paralleled by vivid local specifics manifested in all life spheres. The work introduces accounts of the current sociocultural situation articulated by rural residents of Providensky Urban Okrug. Goals. The paper aims to deliver native inhabitants’ opinions on village life, including which realms of social agenda they tend to view as promising, their actual challenges, controversies, and threats. Materials and methods. The study focuses on field materials collected in the town of Provideniya, villages of Enmelen, Nunligran, Sireniki, Novoye Chaplino, and Yanrakynnot in 2021. Special attention is paid to publications characterizing the socioeconomic situation of Chukotka’s indigenous peoples. Part One of the article reviews publications summarizing results of expeditions to Providensky District, briefly describes traditional occupations of rural dwellers, characterizes the sociocultural situation in the villages of Enmelen, Sireniki and Nunligran. Part Two shall deal with the sociocultural situation in the villages of Novoye Chaplino and Yanrakynnot. Conclusions. According to the Russian Census of 2020, the population of Providensky Urban Okrug is 3,707 people, of which 2,140 live in urban areas and 1,567 — in rural ones. About half of the residents are ethnic Chukchis (36.7%) and Eskimos (Siberian Yupiks; 19,1 %). The last ten years have witnessed a minor population growth only in two settlements — town of Provideniya and village of Novoye Chaplino. The main reasons of rural depopulation are low living standards, deterioration of housing facilities, underdevelopment of rural infrastructure, poor educational and medical services, under- and unemployment, low wages, isolation and limited leisure time opportunities. All the interviewed residents stress the importance of sea-hunting industry as a basis of present-day life in the villages. Elders still hope for further development of reindeer breeding and related sectors. The language situation is characterized by a virtually complete displacement of native languages in family and everyday communicative practices.

Социокультурная ситуация в селах Провиденского городского округа Чукотки глазами их жителей по полевым материалам 2021 г. Часть 2

Introduction. Due to remoteness, limited accessibility and ethnocultural uniqueness, Chukotka used to be — and still is — a particular region of Russia. In Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the nationwide and specifically ‘northern’ political, economic, social and cultural processes are paralleled by vivid local specifics manifested in all life spheres. The work introduces accounts of the current sociocultural situation articulated by rural residents of Providensky Urban Okrug. Goals. The paper aims to deliver native inhabitants’ opinions on village life, including which realms of social agenda they tend to view as promising, their actual challenges, controversies, and threats. Materials and methods. The study focuses on field materials collected in the town of Provideniya, villages of Enmelen, Nunligran, Sireniki, Novoye Chaplino, and Yanrakynnot in 2021. Special attention is paid to publications characterizing the socioeconomic situation of Chukotka’s indigenous peoples. The problems identified in the article have been approached by a number of ethnographers, sociologists and anthropologists of different generations from a variety of angles. So, the latter serve a ‘starting point’ for understanding and analyzing the current sociocultural situation in Providensky Urban Okrug of (Chukotka Autonomous Okrug). Part One of the article reviewed publications, summarized results of expeditions to Providensky District, briefly described traditional occupations of rural dwellers, and characterized the sociocultural situation in the villages of Enmelen, Sireniki and Nunligran. Part Two deals with the sociocultural situation in the villages of Novoye Chaplino and Yanrakynnot. Conclusions. According to the Russian Census of 2020, the population of Providensky Urban Okrug is 3,707 people, of which 2,140 live in urban areas and 1,567 — in rural ones. About half of the residents are ethnic Chukchis (36.7%) and Eskimos (Siberian Yupiks; 19,1 %). The last ten years have witnessed a minor population growth only in two settlements — town of Provideniya and village of Novoye Chaplino. The main reasons of rural depopulation are low living standards, deterioration of housing facilities, underdevelopment of rural infrastructure, poor educational and medical services, under- and unemployment, low wages, isolation and limited leisure time opportunities. All the interviewed residents stress the importance of sea-hunting industry as a basis of present-day life in the villages. Elders still hope for further development of reindeer breeding and related sectors. The language situation is characterized by a virtually complete displacement of native languages in family and everyday communicative practices.