Editing Nenets (section)

=== Nenets activism ===
[[File:Nenets Child.jpg|thumb|230px|Nenets child]]
There are some Nenets people, activists, and researchers who are nervous about the current situation in the Yamal peninsula. They worry that the authorities of the Nenets people will make a deal to merge with another region.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |title=Secluded Arctic region rejects Putin in rare protest |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/secluded-russia-arctic-region-rejects-putin-12916660 |access-date=2020-11-23 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref> Nenets people worry that the deal will lead to a further decline in their autonomy as well as their language and traditions.<ref name=":5" />

Nenets people also face danger from industrial companies. Although the industrial companies have paid compensated the Nenets people and made efforts to assist them, some experts say that the current process does not allow for participation from the Nenets people.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=Henry|first1=Laura A. |last2=Nysten-Haarala|first2=Soili |last3=Tulaeva|first3=Svetlana |last4=Tysiachniouk|first4=Maria |date=2016-09-13 |title=Corporate Social Responsibility and the Oil Industry in the Russian Arctic: Global Norms and Neo-Paternalism |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09668136.2016.1233523 |journal=Europe-Asia Studies |language=en |volume=68 |issue=8 |pages=1340–1368 |doi=10.1080/09668136.2016.1233523 |s2cid=157741433 |issn=0966-8136}}</ref> The relationship is described by some as "paternalistic" because it does not allow Nenets people to make their own decisions.<ref name=":6" />

The Nenets people have previously attempted to organize and protest against these oil and gas companies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards|first=Maxim |date=20 February 2020 |title=Pipeline problems for indigenous peoples on Russia's Yamal Peninsula |url=https://globalvoices.org/2020/02/20/pipeline-problems-for-indigenous-peoples-on-russias-yamal-peninsula/ |website=GlobalVoices |access-date=30 December 2023}}</ref> However, it is difficult for the nomadic people to gather as a collective unit as they live so far apart from each other. Yuri Vella is a notable example of an individual protestor. Vella was a Nenets writer and, having lived near a lake that was licensed over to an oil company, protested often.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Magomedov|first=Arbakhan |date=2019 |title=Challenges for Indigenous Peoples in the Russian North |journal=Riddle}}</ref> Most notably, he is remembered for having stood up against a bulldozer alone with an axe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klyashev|first=Alexander |date=2017-11-20 |title=Reindeer Herders and White-Collar Workers: A Descriptive Study of Protestant Ethnic Groups in Urals and Western Siberia |url=http://www.preprints.org/manuscript/201711.0123/v1 |access-date=30 December 2023 |doi=10.20944/preprints201711.0123.v1 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Vella is not alone in his activism. There exists a rural protest community called Voice of the Tundra that currently speaks on topics such as the rights of the Nenets people.<ref name=":7" /> As aforementioned, it is difficult to gather collectively and so this community relies on VKontakte, a Russian online service, to mobilize and communicate.<ref name=":7" /> Additionally, rather than being led by lawyers or journalists or scholars, the community has a young reindeer herder from the tundra as their leaders.<ref name=":7" /> The Voice of the Tundra focuses its attention on three main issues: a shortage of land for the reindeer due to oil and gas companies expanding use of the territories, the uncertainty surrounding the future of nomadic reindeer herding, and the lack of Indigenous leadership and organization.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last=Magomedov|first=Arbakhan |date=2020 |title=The Russian State and the Arctic Indigenous Peoples: Is Politics Coming Back? |journal=The Journal of Post-Soviet Democratization}}</ref>

The Voice of the Tundra project is being celebrated as it symbolizes a return of politics to Russia's Indigenous peoples.<ref name=":8" /> Specifically, a reindeer herder by the name of Eiko Serotetto is being heralded as the main activist generating the change. Serotetto is not someone who has had a traditional background or education. However, in 2016, he demonstrated that this would not weigh him down when he began to take action in the aftermath of the anthrax epidemic.<ref name=":8" /> Serotetto posted a petition on social media that asked for attention to be brought to the Indigenous peoples and their reindeers. Serotetto requested protection of Indigenous habitats, reindeer, and rights. This petition brought attention to the Russian officials who were not  addressing the "real life of the tundra and Indigenous people".<ref name=":8" /> Later, Serotetto's most impactful petition was made when he advocated for the boycott of Russian oil and gas.<ref name=":8" />

Although there are many Nenets people who are against the industrial development going on in the Yamal peninsula such as the activists aforementioned, there are also many who are in support of the developments. Those who are in favour of the developments highlight the economic benefits that they are able to receive. In a research study conducted in the area, one villager reported that they were able to coexist with the industries through social agreements, voluntary giving, and compensation for damages.<ref name=":6" />

Some argue that this variance in support for the industrial companies from the Nenets people lies in factors such as active leadership from community leaders.<ref name=":6" /> This reasoning can be seen as falling similarly in line with what the Voice of the Tundra was fighting for, as it can be seen that proper Indigenous leadership and involvement can lead to higher satisfaction among the Nenets people.