On August 9, Governor Dmitry Kobylkin of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area expressed his greetings to local residents on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, the area website reported.

The Arctic is home to the people of Yamal, the regional leader said, and prosperity is possible only with the development of all peoples, and especially in Yamal — the indigenous northerners, who have lived here for centuries in harmony with nature.

"We are proud to live in this wonderful land of the indigenous peoples of Yamal whose values ​​are stable and unchanged," Kobylkin said. "Hard work, love for their country, and the continuity of generations are examples of our practical wisdom and perseverance."

He said that the regional government is adding to the federal government's policy to improve the quality of life for the indigenous people of Yamal. Kobylkin said the Yamalo-Nenets administration's practices are recognized to be among the best in the world.

"Yet, we still have to work together with the indigenous people of Yamal to address economic and social issues, environmental issues, culture and education, to preserve our native languages and support the traditional lifestyle," the governor said.

According to the website, indigenous people in the area number about 42,000 (8% of the total population of Yamal, or about 20% of the total number of indigenous people in Russia).

"Let there be peace, health and prosperity in Yamal tents, the homes of the northerners," Kobylkin said.