The Norwegian delegation, consisting of representatives of the Board of the Kautokeino municipality, the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry, the Association of World Reindeer Herders and the Saami Upper Secondary and Reindeer Husbandry School, got a warm welcome on the Nenets land. That was no coincidence as Kautokeino is a twin municipality of Naryan-Mar established back in 1991. The cooperation agreement between Kautokeino and Zapolyarny Rayon was signed two years ago.

The program prepared by the Nenets hosts for the Norwegian delegation was very eventful. There were meetings with representatives of authorities of the Zapolyarny Rayon, Naryan-Mar, Nenets AO and reindeer herders of the Kharp farm. Also, Igor Fyodorov, Governor of the Nenets AO had a meeting with the Norwegian delegation. He accepted an invitation to become the leader of the Nenets delegation to the Indigenous celebration of the Barents 20th anniversary in Kautokeino in March 2013. The Okrug’s delegation will consist of representatives from the Zapolyarny Rayon, Nenets artists, craftsmen and herders.

The two municiapalities discussed the exchange project for young reindeer herders, a project that was originally initiated by Russia in the Arctic Council. The main project’s coordinators are the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry, Association of World Reindeer Herders and the Sami Upper Secondary and Reindeer Husbandry School in Kautokeino. The aim of the project is to improve life conditions of reindeer herders and to support development of reindeer husbandry. Young Sami and Nenets reindeer herders will participate in the project and share knowledge working in reindeer brigades together.