Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 26/01) - Anatoly Raishev lives on the other side of the world, but he can't believe how much it resembles Fort Simpson.

Raishev was one of 12 Russian delegates to visit the community last week as part of a tour of the NWT and Alberta.

He was born and raised in Tugiyane, a Khant community of 120 indigenous people on the 60th parallel.

Alexander Mazharov, left, and Anatoly Raishev proudly display their ball caps and polar bear licence plates during a visit to Fort Simpson last week. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

He was taken aback by how much Fort Simpson reminded him of his home. The landscape, the vegetation, the confluence of two rivers and the warm, welcoming people are all the same, he said in Russian through a translator.

"It's incredible how similar it is. I can't believe it ... it's identical," he said, flabbergasted.

Raishev, a vice-premier responsible for native affairs in his region in Russia, and his 11 colleagues were brought to the NWT by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to discuss economic development initiatives. They also visited Fort Providence, Yellowknife, Hay River and Inuvik.

Raishev said he was particularly interested in how issues such as economic development, preservation of tradition and culture and alcoholism affected indigenous peoples.

"The more I talk to people here, the more I see we have the same problems," he said. "And I'm trying to learn from the mistakes that you've made."

There is rapid industrialization occurring in Raishev's region of Russia, so retaining traditional activities such as fishing, hunting and arts and crafts is a challenge, he said.

"We're doing everything in our power to make these profitable industries," he said.

They are aiming for value-added products rather than simply selling raw materials, said Raishev.

To give the Russian delegates a taste of First Nations culture, a feast, a Dene drum dance and a Nats'enelu fashion show were held for them at the recreation centre on Thursday evening. Following the meal, where the Russians were joined by village and band councillors and businesspeople, Liidlii Kue sub-chief Keyna Norwegian told the delegates that 50 years ago First Nations people had tents set up where the recreation centre now stands. The large, heated building is a symbol of how people are progressing, Norwegian said.

"We're not only First Nations people, but a whole community striving to make this a better place to live," she said.