The International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia (ICIPR) has released a new analytical report, “RAIPON Unmasked: From Indigenous Advocacy to International Statecraft.”
Building on our 2024 investigation, we examine how the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON) has evolved from an independent Indigenous rights organization into an instrument of state influence and international diplomacy.
Drawing on official documents, publicly available evidence, and testimonies from Indigenous activists, our report examines:
- State and corporate influence: RAIPON’s institutional and financial relationships with Russian authorities and major extractive corporations, particularly Nornickel.
- Manufactured representation: The role of state-supported organizations and the School of Indigenous Diplomacy in preparing and promoting government-aligned Indigenous representatives.
- International institutions: RAIPON’s influence within UN mechanisms, including EMRIP and UNPFII, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- Silencing independent voices: RAIPON’s response to environmental damage, violations of Indigenous rights, and the persecution of independent Indigenous activists.
Our findings indicate that RAIPON has become a central component of a broader system designed to promote state-aligned Indigenous representation while marginalizing independent voices.
The report also includes “We Were RAIPON Too,” a collective statement by Indigenous activists who previously participated in RAIPON and continue their advocacy independently.
We provide recommendations for UN bodies, international institutions, human rights organizations, donors, and Indigenous networks to strengthen independent representation, improve accountability, and prevent the misuse of Indigenous participation mechanisms.
We encourage international stakeholders to review the findings and reassess how Indigenous representation from Russia is evaluated and recognized.
ICIPR | October 2026 | 51 pages | English
Read the full report (PDF):