That's why a group of Russians have been here for the last two weeks trying to learn what we are doing.

"During the process of democratic reforms in Russia, the aboriginal peoples became very active and started raising the problems that concern them to the federal and regional governments," explained Stanislav Dorjinkevitch, the deputy chief of the Russian equivalent of the department of Indian and Northern Affairs, through a translator.

He led a group of four Russian government and aboriginal representatives who met with native and government officials in Inuvik last week during a two-week tour of Canada; another five were visiting Rankin Inlet.

"Canada has the most experience with negotiations with aboriginal people and those negotiations were aimed at improving the economic situation of aboriginal people."

Just as in Canada, land claims are going to be occupying the Russian government after president Boris Yeltsin signed an order recognizing native ownership of traditional land. But for a country making a difficult transition from a centralized economy, a political system still in chaos and little money to distribute to aboriginal groups to improve their situation, the Russians feel they could use a little guidance.

After meeting with both Gwich'in and Inuvialuit leaders among others, the Russians were able to formulate what they would like to see happen in Russia, and as Dorjinkevitch put it, does not sound so different than what is evolving here.

"What I have learned is, if the interests of aboriginals are voiced through any intermediaries, it is not a true reflection of their opinions. They should be in charge of the changes they are going to implement."

The main difference between the two Norths is the amount of development, he said. Russia, with a state economy, had much more power to develop the natural resources of its North through bonuses for workers and although none of the Russians mentioned it, prison labor and forced exile of political undesirables to Siberia started in the 1920s.

Accompanying that were the sort of aboriginal policies that made Canada's look almost humane by comparison, but they were done by the former leadership in the name of efficiency, the Russians said.

"These policies were not meant to be harmful, but they were all done from the standpoint of the white man," said Dorjinkevitch, who spoke the language of the modern bureaucrat fluently.

"Concerning relocation, it was seen as next to impossible to build structures like hospitals and schools in settlements that had only 100 residents. Residential schools were created because it was difficult to educate people who were by nature nomadic. I do not think these policies were meant to harm the people, they were done with the best intentions, but as a result they led to problems like children being taken from their parents at an early age, drinking was a problem, there were health problems when people were introduced to new diseases."

"The same problems happened here. I'm sure we have a lot to learn from Canadians, but at the same time, I hope Canadians will learn from our experience also."