Transcultural interactions and elites in late pre-Soviet and early Soviet Chukotka, 1900–1931

Social Evolution & History. 2013. Vol. 12. No. 1. P. 115–148.

Саблин И. В.

The article explored the history of Chukotka's people during the late Tsarist and early Soviet periods focusing on regional interaction patterns between indigenous and non-indigenous actors, and their change after the establishment of the new regime. The restriction and ultimate abolition of free trade in the region resulted in dissatisfaction voiced by Chukotka's pre-Soviet elites. Much attention was devoted to individual actors who were members of the regional transcultural elites during the period under study such as Frank, a Luoravetlan (Chukchi) shaman from Uelen and possibly Rytkheu's grandfather, and several non-native traders who integrated into indigenous societies and became part of the elites. The new authorities first compromised and negotiated with these people including them into the Soviet system of self-government, but then opted for excluding the pre-Soviet elites from most regional interactions. The overall policy was inconsistent and had much to do with the major shifts in Soviet politics. The article is based on the less explored indigenous and non-indigenous sources.

Ключевые слова: СССР, Soviet history, USSR, indigenous peoples of North, история СССР, Chukchi, коренные народы Севера, Arctic indigenous populations, коренные народы Арктики, коренные народы