Salekhard has hosted the first regional total dictation (language exam for all school ages) for Arctic ethnic groups, including the Nenets, the Komi-Zyryan, the Khanty and the Selkups, reports the official website of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area's administration. The event is timed to coincide with International Mother Language Day, marked every February 21.

The exam included 83 people, and the results will be announced on February 24 and posted on the website of the autonomous area's department for the affairs of indigenous Arctic ethnic groups.

The event is sponsored by the above department. Galina Valgamova, head of social policy, traditional lifestyle/economic activity department, said the dictation was to assess the participants' native language fluency levels and to involve young people in preserving the languages of indigenous Arctic ethnic groups.