We mourn the loss of two Indigenous knowledge holders from the Russian Arctic. Pyotr Kaurgin, a Chukchi reindeer herder and leader of the nomadic community of Turvaurgin in Siberia and Alexander Paul, Kola Sámi from Murmansk, have left us.
Pyotr Kaurgin comes from a long line and family of nomadic reindeer herders in the Lower Kolyma region of Sakha-Yakutia. He served as the co-lead for the nomadic community of Turvaurgin. As a respected Elder and knowledge holder he was leading efforts to establish solar electrification of the reindeer camps, establishment of nomadic education amongst the Chukchi of the region and reforms to the herding. Kaurgin is known world-wide for his vast contributions, detection and observation of climate change impacts to tundra, coastal and Siberian ecosystems. He was a key note speaker in several United Nations, Arctic Council and other international forums and believed in the large collaboration efforts Snowchange advanced when it was still possible. Kaurgin believed the changes under way in his tundra home can be navigated as long as people are on their land and live with her.
Alexander Paul, a Kola Sámi knowledge holder, has also passed. Alexander worked in assessments of the region and its remote coast lines since the 2000s. He worked with several teams to assess the marine and ecosystem changes as seen by local residents and Sámi knowledge and contributed to several scientific and regional reports through his innovative, extensive and long field missions to remote, roadless communities. We remember Sasha with great fondness and offer condolences to the close ones.
