Goodbye 2009! Hello 2010!

I guess it’s only natural this time of year to look back on the year that was – and forward to the year that will be.

As 2010 quickly approaches, the task of bringing help and hope around the Arctic Circle seems almost too big a goal – but then I log on to our Facebook Fanpage and see well over 500 of you engaged and caring about the very same things!

You can show your support in a very visible way either on Facebook or Twitter by adding a “twibbon” to your avatar. It’s easy, free, and even more importantly, helps spread the word about the work True North Aid is doing in and around the Arctic.

Watch this blog for some amazing and creative ways you can make a difference in 2010. Together we can bring help and hope around the Arctic Circle!

Happy New Year!

Climate change debate in Russia centres around Reindeer

The debate around global warming and climate change has escalated with and around the Copenhagen Summit.

Regardless of what side of the fence you’re on, it’s hard to ignore the harsh global economic climate. Extreme poverty is epidemic.

Reindeer herders are a dying breed. Many of  those who have either lost or been forced out of the livelihood and into northern settlements, face a life of idleness and extreme alcoholism. The loss of their traditional way of life has brought with it a complete loss of identity compounded by a tremendous sense of hopelessness and despair.

Reindeer for the Nenets people are not just a way of life. Reindeer = Life.

Luke Harding discusses his take on climate change as it relates to the Reindeer in Northern Russia:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/20/arctic-tundra

Reindeer = Life

This weekend, we are finally getting around to putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house in time for the season’s festivities.

As always, an integral part of our custom, is reindeer. We’ve got reindeer ornaments, fake-huge-pipecleaner-like floor reindeer, there’s even a stuffed beanie-baby-like reindeer sitting on our coffee table. For us at least, reindeer have become an obvious symbol of the Christmas season.

For the Nenets people in Russia’s Arctic however, reindeer – although they do pull sleighs – don’t symbolize a single season; for them, reindeer = life.

Reindeer, for many, are a source of food, clothing, shelter and livelyhood. The more reindeer one has, the “richer” he is. It’s a very obvious gauge of how well or how poorly one is doing.

Sadly, reindeer herds and herders are on the decline, forcing many Nenets into a life of poverty, idleness and alcoholism.

This Christmas – each time you see a reindeer – think about the “forgotten people” at the very top of the world; the Nenets.