Nikolskoye village on Bering Island joined the celebration of the International Local Community Day on August 11-12. 

Close bond with nature is an integral part of life of the Aleuts. This bond became the main theme of the Commander Islands Reserve workshop for young villagers. The participants looked closely into the behavior of the sea lion, northern fur seal, sea otter and harbor seal, of many seabirds – the very first local community of the archipelago. These animals were hunted from end of the 19^th century to the 20^th, but today the majority of the animals are included in the Red Data Book and are under protection.

Photo by Oksana Solovanyuk

On the other hand, local flora is still used heavily in day-to-day life. It is highly important to know the necessary plant from another, which was a theme of another lesson.  “Local Aleutian old residents still tell their grandchildren how to prepare cow-parsnip for a meal. Such workshops are organized during local holidays. One of the important tasks of the reserve is to protect Aleutian culture”, said Oksana Solovanyuk, specialist of Environmental Education Department.

Photo by Julia Pullit

The Anghi Group presented their view of the Aleutian cultural heritage to local people and tourists. It is a rare opportunity to see and hear local dances and songs, but here local community prevents ethnic history from fading away.  

The holiday ended with the first regional competition called Nikolchanka-Severianka, which can be closely translated as Northerner from Nikolskoye Village.