Paper short abstract:

This presentation intends to explore most active virtual indigenous groups, their similarities or differences particularly on the messages that they are sharing. It will look to analyse how the social media encourages group’s members to sustain and promote their cultural practices.

Paper long abstract:

Culture is how people express themselves, relate to the world around them and to belong. It plays a huge role in people’s lives and everyday practices. Culture tends to unite people and instill a sense of belonging. Virtual space allows people to connect with each other and unite together based on cultural beliefs.

There are 19 indigenous small-numbered peoples’ groups in the Russia’s Arctic and most of those groups have an active social media presence. I intend to analyse how and for what purpose the indigenous groups of the Russian High North use the social media domains. I intend to explore interactions that are taking place within virtual indigenous groups and analyse how those groups encourage a sense of virtual belonging to an indigenous cultural and amongst their members.

I will present the data gathered from a number of most active VKontakte (VK) platforms associated to Russia’s Arctic indigenous groups. My presentation will examine the intent and aspiration behind the messages or posts that those groups are disseminating, as well as compare the member engagement or participation in any given discourse. I intend to explore whether the virtual or digital groups differ from each other or they are inherently similar due to their vulnerabilities. Also, I will look to analyse how the social media encourages group’s members to share and sustain their cultural practices and therefore promote their cultural value to much larger audience.